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Airforce

Learning and Development Officer

Take your knowledge and skills to new places.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Education & Support roles | Officers & Management

  • Entry type

    Officer entry

  • Under training

    $86,092

  • 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:

  • Support Defence international engagements. Support capacity building through: English language training; systems approach to learning expertise; and instructors for NZDF Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP) and Mutual Assistance Training Teams (MATTs).
  • 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

  • All candidates must:

    • 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. 

    View our Scholarship programs.

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.

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.

  • 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.
    • Capability learning analyst (Defence individual learning outputs).

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Career Progression

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.

  • Under training

    $86,092

  • Future potential earnings

    $131,525

20220909 NZDF R1055140 005

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
Air Force Application Process 20240920

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
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Ready to start your Air Force career?

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