A NEW employment stream has been created in the Air Force that will result in a more proficient Explosive Ordnance workforce, while maintaining the multi-skilled benefits of the current technical trade structure.

The Explosive Ordnance Employment Stream (EOES) will be a subset of the technical airman aviation trade groups of Avionics and Aircraft Technicians.

It has been established to combat a chronic reduction in experience levels in the area of Explosive Ordnance.

"There was a particular concern that we were not adequately growing skilled and experienced personnel to take on senior specialised EO duties," said Wing Commander Graeme Davies, Deputy Director - Logistics (Explosive Ordnance) at Air Force Headquarters.

"Specific issues have been identified over the past two to three years that showed that intervention was required to rectify the situation.

"A study was conducted last year ... and the outcomes, covering a number of issues, included that separation rates exceeded the growth of senior EO managers and that, left unchecked, this would result in a complete loss of the skills required."

WGCDR Davies said the new employment stream, which would be officially formed next January, would build on the existing technical airman career management policy, which streams the technical workforce to specific aircraft types (Strike, Fighter, Maritime etc), while allowing for opportunities to transfer between weapon systems.

With the introduction of EOES, Avionics and Aircraft Technicians will continue to be streamed to aircraft types, but some will also be streamed to EO, with some 330 technical positions, previously EO Specialists, earmarked to become EOES positions.

The bulk of these positions will be in Air Combat Group and Combat Support Group, two major Force Element Groups (FEGs) involved in EO operations.

A smaller number of positions will be created in Maritime Patrol Group and Training Command Units and Joint Ammunition Logistics Organisation.

If there is insufficient interest in entering the EO stream, these positions will be temporarily filled using normal workforce management methods.

However, this is not expected to be necessary, as the EOES will provide exciting career opportunities for those entering the stream.

"It will allow better growth of the specialised EO skills required and at the same time will provide the opportunity to individuals who seek employment and advancement within the EO specialisation," WGCDR Davies said.

He said that briefing sessions would be conducted on bases in the first half of September to ensure technical personnel had the necessary information to determine whether EOES was for them.

By Ben Caddaye