Apprenticeships in the United Kingdom

Airbus is Europe’s number one defence and space enterprise, so what better way to start your technical apprenticeship than with an industry leader, working with talented, inspiring people who are as passionate as they are determined.

Being a Technical Apprentice at Airbus means you will get to develop both mechanical and electrical skills within our three year programme. You will be immersed in a stimulating design and manufacturing environment based at either our Portsmouth or Stevenage site. Over the course of the apprenticeship, you will study towards the Standard ST0855 – Space Engineering Technician qualification.

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 in during your placement include:

Stevenage:

• Panel 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 engineerin

Portsmouth:

• Perform the assembly and testing of satellite payloads.
• Defining the engineering processes and review the quality of the tasks performed in the satellite assembly halls.
• Perform the engineering, integration and testing of payload electronics assemblies.
• Definition, procurement and testing of EEE components used within our electronic assemblies.
• The testing of spacecraft materials and components in our materials laboratory.
• Definition of the Payload assemblies, Spacecraft components and Payload test assemblies in our modern design office.
• Test the build quality and design integrity of our products, to ensure they are suitable to survive the journey into space, using equipment to simulate the vibrations and shocks these products will endure during launch.

Minimum requirements:

• At least five GCSEs (achieved or predicted) including a Grade 5/6 (B) in Maths and English.
• An enthusiasm 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 Portsmouth or Stevenage:

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

We usually employ four apprentices every year alternately at either our Kidlington or Shawbury sites. Our apprenticeship program is four years in total. At the end of the apprenticeship, you will be an Aircraft Maintenance Certifying Engineer and go on to have several “Type Ratings” on our helicopters. Our apprenticeship is in two parts. The first two years are dedicated to obtaining an EASA CAT A Licence. The final two years will require the knowledge, skills learnt and portfolio of evidence gained in the first two years to progress further towards obtaining an EASA CAT B1.3 (Mechanical) or B2 (Avionics) Licence.

• Year 1 and 2 (EASA CAT A Licence) The first two years are common to Avionic and Mechanical apprentices. The first 9 months are almost exclusively spent away from the AIRBUS (Helicopters) working environment with our training provider. Apprentices will work on helicopters and associated workshops, learning theoretical and practical engineering tasks with our training provider. This apprentice foundation phase will include two blocks of workplace training consisting of 18-20 days each working in a real world Part 145 AIRBUS (Helicopters) line, installation and maintenance environment. Apprentices will develop knowledge and competencies; delivered through classroom training, practical tasks assessed under Part 66 CAA regulations. Their competencies will be recorded in the MTEL (Maintenance Training Experience Log).

Gateway 1 is conducted after approximately 9 months to confirm apprentices progress before moving onto the development competence phase. Developmental competence requires the apprentice to gather evidence of occupational competence and complete a series of knowledge performance and skills assessments. The apprentice is then assessed by occupationally competent assessors. After approximately 9 months, on the development competence phase, the apprentice will work at AIRBUS (Helicopters) in a Part 145 environment gaining evidence, competence and experience.

Gateway 2 is conducted 3 - 6 months before the end of year 2 by AIRBUS (Helicopters) to review competencies and apprentice progress before applying for the EPA (End Point Assessment).

EPA (CAT A) is an independent assessment by an external organisation which consists of a series of pre-determined tasks set by the EPAO (End Point Assessment Organisation) e.g. Royal Aeronautical Society. The assessment consists of a portfolio of evidence, storyboards and an oral board. On successful completion of the EPA the apprentice will achieve L2 and 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering and a CAT A licence.

• Year 3 and 4 (EASA CAT A to CAT B) Approx. 462 days spent working in our maintenance and installation environment gaining experience for their CAP 741; with blocks of practical, off the job and theoretical training with our training provider. During this phase apprentices will develop knowledge and competencies delivered through classroom training, self-study, practical tasks assessed under Part 66 CAA regulations. Their competencies will be recorded in the MTEL (Maintenance Training Experience Log). Continuation of on the job training and assessment by mentors, culminating in a Competency Evaluation by AIRBUS (Helicopters).

Gateway 1 is conducted to confirm developmental competence, this requires the apprentice to gather evidence of occupational competence and complete a series of knowledge performance and skills assessments and then assessed by occupationally competent assessors.

Gateway 2 is conducted 3 - 6 months before the end of year 4 by AIRBUS (Helicopters) to review competencies and apprentice progress before applying for the EPA (End Point Assessment).

EPA (CAT B) is an independent assessment by an external organisation which consists of a series of pre-determined tasks set by the EPAO (End Point Assessment Organisation) e.g. Royal Aeronautical Society. The assessment consists of a portfolio of evidence, storyboards and an oral board. On successful completion of the EPA the apprentice will achieve L4 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering and a CAT B1.3 (Mechanical) or B2 licence (Avionics).

Minimum requirements:

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