Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Education & Support roles | Officers & Management
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Entry type
Officer entry
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Under training
$86,092
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Location
Varied
As a Learning and Development Officer (LDO) in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) you will provide an enabling function for NZDF military personnel to attain the cognitive edge, knowledge, skills and attitudes to succeed on complex, joint, inter-agency, and multi-national operations. LDO roles can be categorised into the following functions:
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Support Defence international engagements. Support capacity building through English language training, systems approach to learning expertise, and instructors for the following outputs:
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NZDF Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP). This is an initiative focused on building relationships and enhancing capabilities with partner nations through skill-sharing and training support.
- Mutual Assistance Training Teams (MATTs). MATTs are deployed to partner countries to deliver targeted training in specific areas. MATTs are made up of NZDF personnel who provide hands-on instruction, guidance, and technical expertise tailored to the needs of the host nation’s military or security forces.
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- Learning systems leaders. Provide specialised leadership and management of military learning capability through key appointments.
- Deliver learning outputs. Facilitate coursing that enables the development of instructor excellence and workplace learning design, in order to enhance delivery of NZDF training and education.
- Deliver quality management of single-Service learning systems. Conduct quality management through maintenance of training standards and conduct of audit to ensure training systems are compliant with required standards and rules.
- Provide strategic policy and advice to Command. Lead NZDF learning policy and provide advice to NZDF and Service commands to ensure training systems meet operational requirements.
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
- Pass an Officer Selection Board.
Education
- Hold a recognised degree in education or training disciplines. These disciplines may include, but not be limited to: adult education, training and development, vocational training; or
- Have significant experience as a training, education and learning systems development professional.
Scholarship Entry
The Air Force offer undergraduate scholarships for candidates who demonstrate the qualities required to become a Learning and Development Officer.The scholarships are:
- RNZAF Undergraduate Scheme: Study at an approved university institution of your choice while the Air Force covers your fees and a living allowance on a ‘year for a year’ return of service basis.
- Graduate Incentive Scheme: Study at the university of your choice, and on completion of your degree, you will be paid an increasing incentive over the next four years with the monetary value based on the number of full time study years successfully completed.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
There is no contractual obligation for you to stay in the NZDF for any length of time unless you are awarded an RNZAF Undergraduate Scholarship. Recipients of the RNZAF Undergraduate Scholarship are contractually obligated to complete 12 months of full-time service for every year of sponsored study.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
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Job on base
As an LDO you will provide a variety of specialist training support, and advice and guidance on NZDF individual learning systems to commanders, learning providers and units.
Depending on previous education, training, and experience, initial Junior LDO roles are focused at the tactical level and include:
- Learning designer.
- Instructor in learning and development, English language training, or training systems and standards.
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
RNZAF Officer Commissioning Course (ROC)
(26 weeks) Location: RNZAF Base Woodbourne
All individuals selected to become Commissioned Officers in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) are required to complete this course. It is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and experience necessary for commissioned service and the beginning of a career in leadership. This course will cover various subjects including:
- RNZAF Customs and Protocol
- Drill and Parades
- Military Law
- Military Field Skills and Weapons Training
- Defence and Strategic Studies
- Personnel Administration
- Communication Skills
- Command, Leadership and Management
- First Aid
02Job Training
Job Training
After successful completion of your basic training, you will be posted to a position within your Service or the New Zealand Defence College (NZDC) and complete a period of induction training.
You will be required to complete a number of courses that will introduce you to NZDF syllabus design (analysis and design) and NZDF instructor roles (develop and implement).
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
Opportunities for ongoing professional development include external qualifications in:
- Adult education
- English language teaching to adults
04Career Progression
Career Progression
After you complete your initial posting further opportunities exist within the tri-service environment that will allow you to develop in other functional areas within the trade. As a consequence, you will spend most of your career at various defence establishments and your work colleagues could be a mixture of Navy, Army, Air Force and civilian personnel.
Once you have completed all relevant courses and the necessary time in rank, there will be opportunities for promotion and additional advancement in the form of senior LDO positions. In addition, there are also operational deployments, individual and collective international training activities, and exchanges with other armed forces including Australia, Canada and the UK.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Free and subsidised insurance cover
- Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Salary & benefits
Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
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Under training
$86,092
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Future potential earnings
$131,525
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
Ready to start your Air Force career?
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