Apprenticeships in the United Kingdom

We want to make sure you have a promising career ahead of you at Airbus. That’s why by the end of a three- or four-year period you’ll not only gain hands-on industry experience but also receive a BEng Honours Degree in Aerospace Engineering from one of our partner universities. Therefore, you get to go to university and get paid.

Minimum requirements

• At least two A Levels (or equivalent) at grade B or above in Maths and grade C or above in Physics or Chemistry. An Engineering Level 3 qualification at triple Distinction grade can be accepted as an alternative to A Levels.
• A minimum of six GSCEs (or equivalent) at grade C or 4 which should include Maths, English Language and Science (core and additional). If your Science qualification was taken as single subjects, one of these must be Physics. Equivalent qualifications will be considered.

Partner College/University

The engineering course will take place at a local partnered college accredited by our university partners: Swansea University (for Broughton apprentices) and the University of the West of England (for Filton apprentices).

Our apprenticeship programmes are structured around what you love to do. That’s why we offer two different business apprenticeship programmes, one focusing on industrialisation and business support, and the other on supply chain functions. The apprenticeship lasts three to four years and ensures you gain both academic knowledge and on-the-job experience at our Airbus site in Broughton, North Wales.

At Airbus you’ll get the opportunity to choose how far you want your apprenticeship to take you. Our apprentices’ study towards ILM Level 4 Diploma in Principles of Leadership and Management and ILM Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Management. Depending on your programme, the apprenticeship can also lead to a degree (Fd SC/BSc Applied Business Management). Professional accreditation can be achieved with the CMI (Chartered Management Institute) or, for supply chain, with CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply) Certificate Level 5 (with the option to go to Level 6 which is equivalent to a degree).

Minimum requirements

• Two A Levels at grade B (one in Business Studies and the other in a subject such as IT, Economics, English Language, Maths or Welsh Baccalaureate (grade B). Alternatively, a Business BTEC Extended Diploma minimum triple Distinction.
• A minimum of six GCSEs at grade C or 4 including Maths, English and Science (core and additional).

Partner College/University

The business course will take place at Swansea University and Coleg Cambria. If you are on the supply chain programme, then you will study at Bangor University and Coleg Cambria.

When you join this four-year programme, you will not only achieve a BSc Honours Degree in Digital and Technical Solutions but also gain valuable professional working experience. You’ll also work with a talented and innovative multi-disciplinary team on exciting products and solutions to keep the Airbus IT industrial landscape running smoothly, reliably and efficiently.

Minimum requirements

• At least three A Levels (or equivalent) at grade B or above, preferably in subjects such as Maths and IT. A BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with minimum triple Distinction can be accepted as an alternative to A Levels.
• A minimum of six GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or 4 which should include Maths, English Language and Science (core and additional). If your Science qualification was taken as single subjects, one of these must be Physics.

Partner College/Universities

The degree will be taught at Weston College and it will be provided by the University of the West of England.

Interested in a career in finance? Then you’ll be a perfect fit for the finance apprenticeship at Airbus. You will study towards a Level 4 apprenticeship in Professional Accounting, followed by a Level 7 apprenticeship as an Accountancy and Taxation Professional. This will lead on to degree-equivalent certification and professional accreditation with CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). 

Minimum requirements

• At least three A levels (or equivalent) at grade B or above in Maths and two other related subjects such as Further Maths, Economics, Business Studies or IT.
• Six GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or 4 including Maths, English and Science (Core and Additional). 

Partner College/University

Your qualifications will be accredited and awarded by BPP University and delivered via a combination of online and on-site study methods.

This is not just an apprenticeship, it is also your opportunity to become one of the skilled craftspeople working hands-on with our exciting and innovative products. There are five pathways to our craft apprenticeships: Aero Structures, Aero Systems, Plant Service Centre, Machining or Mechanical and Electrical. No matter which programme you choose, you’ll gain academic knowledge, practical training and experience while earning a regular salary the whole time.
 Aero structures

Joining our Aero Structures craft apprenticeship will enable you to become a skilled aircraft fitter. You will get to be part of exciting projects and work on drill off and assembly of both metallic and composite components to produce the wing box structure.

This programme will lead to NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering) Level 3 and a National Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering.

To apply, you must have a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent). This must include:

• Grade C or 4 in Maths, English Language and Science (core and additional). If your Science qualification was taken as single subjects, one of these must be Physics.
• For the remaining two GCSEs, we will also consider alternative qualifications such as Engineering BTEC Level 2, Engineering Diploma, Principle Learning, PEO Level 2 and Pathways to Apprenticeships. 

Aero systems

Through our Aero Systems craft apprenticeship, you will become a skilled aircraft systems fitter, working on exciting projects that involve installing and testing the aircraft flying controls, fuel and electrical systems.

You will study towards NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering) plus an Additional Electrical Unit Level 3, as well as a National Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering plus two Additional Electrical Modules.

To apply, you must have a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent). This must include:

• Grade B or 6 in Maths or, alternatively, a grade C or 4 in Maths with a BTEC Level 2 in Engineering.
• Grade C or 4 in English Language and Science (core and additional). If your Science qualification was taken as single subjects, one of these must be Physics.
• For the remaining two GCSEs, we will also consider alternative qualifications such as Engineering BTEC Level 2, Engineering Diploma, Principle Learning, PEO Level 2 and Pathways to Apprenticeships. 

Machining

If you like the idea of working with machinery, this programme will lead you to becoming a skilled machinist working on CNC machines, manufacturing skin panels and stringers for various Airbus commercial aircraft.

This programme leads to NVQ Extended Diploma (Engineering Manufacture) Level 3 and a National Diploma in Engineering Manufacture.

To apply, you must have a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent). This must include:

• Grade C or 4 in Maths, English Language and Science (core and additional). If your Science qualification was taken as single subjects, one of these must be Physics.
• For the remaining two GCSEs, we will also consider alternative qualifications, such as Engineering BTEC Level 2, Engineering Diploma, Principle Learning, PEO Level 2 and Pathways to Apprenticeships.

Plant service centre (maintenance or tool room)

This is your chance to become either a skilled electrical maintenance fitter or a skilled tool room machinist/fitter, specialising in the service and support of the plant’s production machinery and tooling.

Both programmes lead to NVQ Extended Diploma (Engineering Maintenance or Mechanical Manufacture) Level 3 plus a Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering and an HNC in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.

To apply, you must have a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent). This must include:

• Grade B or 6 in Maths or, alternatively, a grade C or 4 in Maths with a BTEC Level 2 in Engineering.
• Grade C or 4 in English Language and Science (core and additional). If your Science qualification was taken as single subjects, one of these must be Physics.
• For the remaining two GCSEs, we will also consider alternative qualifications, such as Engineering BTEC Level 2, Engineering Diploma, Principle Learning, PEO Level 2 and Pathways to Apprenticeships.

Mechanical and electrical (aircraft fitter or wind tunnel technician)

This programme is your first step towards becoming either a skilled aircraft fitter or a skilled wind tunnel technician. Through the three-year programme, you will gain a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering and an NVQ Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering. On-site work will be carried out in the A400M manufacturing plant at Airbus Filton.

To apply, you must have a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent). This must include:

• Grade C or 4 in Maths, English Language and Science. If Science was taken as single subjects, one of these must be Physics.

Partner College / University

The course will take place at a local partnered college.

As a customer services engineering apprentice, you will get to work with our talented team of professionals. You will be responsible for any Airbus aircraft across the whole fleet, supporting both current production aircraft and an ageing fleet, as well as providing technical support to both suppliers and internal customer services colleagues. That’s because when you complete an apprenticeship with Airbus, we want to make sure you are absolutely ready for the next stage of your exciting career with us.

As a Customer Services Engineering Apprentice at Airbus, you will gain a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering and get a Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Technical Support.

Minimum requirements

• Five GCSEs at Grade C or 4, which must include Maths, English Language and Science. If Science was taken as single subjects, one of these must be Physics.

Partner College/University

The study element of this apprenticeship will take place at a local partnered college.

Airbus is Europe’s number one defence and space enterprise, so what better way to start your technical apprenticeship than with an industry leader.

Being a Technical Apprentice at Airbus means you’ll get to see yourself develop both mechanically and electrically within a three-year period. You will be immersed in a stimulating manufacturing environment based at our Stevenage site. Over the course of the apprenticeship, you will study towards a minimum of BTEC L3 and a maximum of HNC L4 level, depending on your prior educational attainment.

During the first year, you will gain both academic knowledge and practical experience. For years two and three, you will be on a day-release programme, structured to give you a unique chance to experience different areas of the business and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how Airbus works. The exciting projects you could be getting involved during your placement includes:

• Panel and structure build involving composite techniques and carbon fibre filament winding
• Assembly of solar array drive mechanisms, antenna deployment and trimming mechanism
• Integration and assembly of chemical propulsion systems

• Manufacture of dual and multiple layer insulation and integration on spacecraft
• Material treatments including grit blasting of metallic items before application of corrosion inhibiting primers and paints
• Satellite mechanical engineering

Minimum requirements

• At least five GCSEs (achieved or predicted) including a Grade 5/6 (B) in Maths and English.
• Passion for engineering, which you will be able to demonstrate through your educational choices or hobbies. For example, you may have been part of an engineering club at school or perhaps you enjoy fixing mechanical and electrical things in your spare time.

Partner College/University

The study element of this apprenticeship will take place at one of the following colleges depending on whether your apprenticeship is based at Stevenage or Portsmouth:

• Oaklands College, Welwyn Garden City (Stevenage) or
• CEMAST College, Lee-on-the-Solent (Portsmouth)

This apprenticeship is only available from Airbus Helicopters. It trains licenced aircraft technicians qualified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). There are two types of licensed aircraft technicians: B1 – engineers of the mechanical trade and B2 – engineers of the avionic trade. We train apprentices of both trades and they broadly follow the same program. Both will end up EASA Part 66 qualified, the B1 apprentices achieving additionally a National Certificate in Mechanical engineering and the B2 apprentices achieving a National Certificate in Electrical.

Apprentices are employed in blocks of four every other year and therefore we often have up to 12 apprentices in the programme at various stages. At the end of the apprenticeship, you will be a licensed aircraft maintenance technician with several “Type Ratings” on our helicopters.

• Year 1: The apprentice studies “Performing Engineering Operations” – four days each week attending the Abingdon & Witney College. On the fifth day each week, they study for the ‘National Certificate’ at the same college. They also attend two short courses arranged by ISIS Training Ltd. – “Employment Rights and Responsibilities” and “Key Skills”.
• Year 2: During the second year, the apprentice is employed in company carrying out aircraft work. The apprentice continues with the National Certificate one day each week. They also begin the NVQ level three.
• Year 3: During the third year, the apprentice finishes the National Certificate and the NVQ and continues employment in company working on aircraft. They also begin the EASA Part 66 module training carried out in house by the ECUK Training Centre.
• Years 4 and 5: During the fourth and fifth years, the apprentice spends time in different departments within the company and continues with the EASA Part 66 examination modules.

Minimum requirements

The minimum entry qualifications for our engineering apprentices are grade B GSCE in Maths and Physics and grade C in English.

During the first year of the programme, all our UK apprentices and selected apprentices from France and Germany will spend a week on an Outward-Bound course in the Lake District. We have packed the week with a lot of fun activities, so you’ll have a great time orienteering, raft building and mountaineering, and you’ll learn to plan and present. By the end of the course, you will get a complete understanding of our values. This will help in your future development and career.

At Airbus, we have a talented and diverse team, so intercultural awareness among employees is essential to our business. All our apprentices join our Intercultural Competencies Programme, which offers specific training and the chance to apply for a placement at one of our sites in Europe.