Aircraft Engineer Apprenticeships

[JordanW92]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction career-wise as to where I can find aircraft engineering apprenticeships. I'm 17 years old (18 next month) and a full time student at a sixth form college. Applications to universities will begin in September and I'm not sure if university is the best option for me, especially if I want to persue a career in aircraft engineering. I do feel however, doing A-Levels was/is a bit of a waste of time as many of the apprentice schemes only require GCSE's as a minimum. I have rang around a few companies, (Monarch, Virgin Atlantic, Thomas Cook) they have said intake starts March/April next year or as in Monarch's case, the apprenticeship scheme is on hold. I know limited information about the industry and would like to hear from the people 'within'. I would be grateful if anybody could give me more information with regards to apprenticeships, training ect.

Thanks, Jordan.

[NutLoose]

Jordan one possiblity is

Kingston University - Newcastle Aviation Academy (http://www.newcastleaviation.co.uk/)

and though not going to get you hands on aircraft

Apprenticeships - Rolls-Royce (http://www.rolls-royce.com/careers/apprenticeships/)

they also do graduate programmes

Graduate Programmes - Rolls-Royce (http://www.rolls-royce.com/careers/graduate_progs/)

[znww5]

Funnily enough I was about to post exactly the same query on behalf of my nephew who is in the same position as you. The engineering + pilot training courses appear to vary widely in content, so I was about to ask the professional engineers on here about apprenticeships. I will be watching this thread with great interest!

[jpoth06]

If you want to be working on aircraft then forget going to uni unless it's a part 147 basic training + degree course such as what Kingston offers. The best way to get into this industry is via an apprenticeship, though it is the wrong time of year right now for that.

[virginpaul]

Jordan,
I did the same as you many years ago. I was poorly advised regarding the required qualifications to be an aircraft technician (we're talking 1981 here, so no pprune and internet to help - only a sad out of date careers office within the school). They advised me I needed 2 A levels to be an aircraft technician (!). I subsequently found out these were the requirements for an aircraft technologist.
So off I trotted to a 6th form college to study maths, physics and economics.

In early 1982, after the Christmass/New Year break, I was so fed up with the school I was at (uniformed 6th form, not a pure college) that I visited that schools career office. They advised that I all the necessary qualifications already for an Engineering Apprenticeship, and gave me all the contact details of the major players at the time.

I wrote to Dan-Air, Lakers, British Caledonian, the MOD and BA.
BA weren't recruiting, Laker went bust after I sent off my app. I lived too far away for Dan-Air, and was successfull with BCAL and the MOD. BCAL payed a load better and it was working in whole aircraft rather than little bits of them.

I actually believe no education is wasted, so your years at college will be a good self selling point at application stage. Also, thinking back to my apprenticeship - most of my intake had studied or worked for a year or two - there were 10 of us in total, and only 2 had come straight from school. The benefits were clear - we were all just that little bit more mature and worldly wise than a fresh school lever.

If you want to work hands on with aircraft =, you can't beat the route in via a modern apprenticeship. The Virgin one is 3 years and will see you complete with an EASA A license.
If you want to work in an office - at the Technicial stage, then there is a grad entry scheme. If you go the Apprenticeship route, you can do either! Graduates who want to work hands on have to go back to school to gain their A or B licenses, and can find a good deal of resistance to any move in that direction.

An advantage of the grad route however, is that management love a degree, and holding a degree demonstarates your ability to study (not that holding License and Approval does not, just they never seem to see it quite the same way!), and promotion to Management and Senior Management levels seem to require a degree (usually in business studies - which is fair enough I guess).

If I had to do it all again, and I was you, I'd get a job in a small garage working on cars of sum such like - to gain a little hands on engineering experience for a year after you finish college. In April, you can start applying to the Airlines. Perhaps you could defer Uni entry for a year whilst you try this tack?

Either way, the choice is yours, and the very best of luck to you.

Paul

[Gas Bags]

How many people out there see the new system as a total codswallop???

When I did my apprenticeship thare was no such thing as certificate 4's, or 147 pre training courses or whatever is perceived these days to be the best way to recruit people.

People in those days started as kids indentured under their parents recognizance and learnt a trade under the guidance of very competant people who knew when they told you to hop you asked 'which foot'.

I believe I had a much better grounding and education in the industry than anybody coming through nowadays.

Give a kid a bottle of Boeshield these days and you will no doubt be answered by... F*#k off.

Look at all the posts on this site regarding people who have done the 147 training school, and are now stranded with nowhere to go.

Oh EASA....how is it you have taken the world by storm.

GB

[mike172]

I started my apprenticeship with BAE Systems a few months ago. Keep checking their website for openings, I believe they will be taking on more apprentices in the coming months.

[Flyboy543]

If I were you I'd go down the A level route to keep yourself busy for a year and apply again in the spring. I am doing an apprentiship with an MRO and have A levels, another guy has a uni degree. If you're thinking of sitting some license modules or taking a 147 approved course this may count against you being too qualified for an apprentiship, I know of a few guys who had 3-4 modules turned down for an apprentiship.

Don't be downbeat if they don't take you, just keep trying - third time lucky for me. The other option you will see is self-study and getting all your modules done and then waiting for experience that never comes, even if you work for free. Just hold out and try for an apprentiship that will give you all you need and you'll be paid at the same time!

Best of luck whatever you do.

[alexyfoot]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to know if I would have any chance at getting an apprenticeship based on my personal info and background.

I am 21. I come from abroad but have A-level equivalent. I am in my second year of an aero engineering degree and working as work experience at a respected aerospace company. However, I hate the degree as it is only maths and calculations and I have grown to hate them with passion so I might fail my resits this year as I have no motivation to finish my degree whatsoever. I will give it a try so that my employer doesnt kick me out of my 1 year work experience but in case I fail my studies will be terminated and most probably my employer will terminate my work experience too. So in that case my best bet would be aircraft apprenticeship I think as I cannot possibly go back to academics and the hands on work would be great - I love my work right now. I am currently working on producing maintenance programmes so have some good background but I am 21 so a bit old and mixed academics (they would look rather poor with terminated degree studies) so far so I just want some input from experienced guys on what my chances would be of landing an apprenceship (getting to an interview, I am pretty confident I will do well afterwards). Thank you

[alexyfoot]

I am at Airbus right now. I dont know if they will like my lack of commitment to Uni studies (especially when they accepted me before my last exams on which I did really bad) and let me switch to apprenticeship if I fail my resits. If I fail I will obviously give it a try as my team and manager seem to like my work so far but I need some back-up. RR sounds as a good idea but was wondering what would be the situation with airlines as there probably would be some opportunities?

[aviatordom]

I decided to go for an Engineering course at College after failing to get onto local Apprenticeships, so that I can hopefully boost my chances when it comes to applying again.

I start next week and the qualification is Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering (equivalent to 3 A-Levels).

The reason for this is because I wouldn't have been able to study A-Levels in subjects such as Maths & Physics because my GCSE grades (C in Science, D in Maths, which will hopefully be retaken) don't meet the requirements. Another reason is the fact that I am more vocational than academic, I find it difficult to learn from a textbook for months and then revise all of it for an exam, which is what I would have to do with A-Levels. The third reason is because I need more practical, hands-on experience which is crucial, College would give me this.

In short, I know that any form of technical related experience helps but do employers prefer the more traditional A-Levels?

I've heard that the BA Apprenticeship scheme with Brooklands College is a BTEC qualification.

Any help is much appreciated,

Regards,

Dominic

[Mike_s]

Hi, I think your a bit late for the majority of the apprenticeships as they tend to start looking/advertising early summer and start in September.

From speaking to my manager he has said people who apply with full degrees are often over qualified, I still find this hard to understand but hey I don't make the rules.

I know people with no engineering back grounds who got taken on where as others have qualifications such as NVQ Level 2's ,National Diplomas, A levels which are compltely non related to a/c engineering, up to a foundation degree.

Hope thats some help

[Sonic Bam]

Try speaking to the guys at LRTT. They run apprenticeships for companies and might have an inside track on who is recruiting.

[pankaj dua]

I have completed successfully 2&1/2 years in AME course(aircraft electrical system & aircraft instrument system)in INDIA.NOW i want apprenticeship in any leading company abroad.OR Otherwise tell me any ccollege which provides top up degree in aviation or any field.I want exemption in duration.

[Stu_88]

First off, RWoodz, get off here, how much free time do you have to write all these replies? lol

(For the rest of you we know eachother, dont worry ;-) )

RWoodz is right in what he's saying, dont bother too much with A-Levels, certainly not degree's, im based at Manchester and the airline I work for aren't interested if you have a degree in aeronautical engineering. (when applying for apprenticeships).

GCSE's and a BTEC National Diploma in Aerospace Engineering are more than acceptable qualifications to apply with. Been here 4 years now, pretty much everyone ive seen come through the door has this qualification or similar, or has various other engineering backgrounds

Good luck to all who apply for Aircraft Engineering Apprenticeships

PM if you have any questions

Stu_88

[Pathfinders]

Jordan, if you are taking A2s in Maths or Physics, and fancy an electronic/avionic systems aeroapace career,rather than mechanical, try looking at the GE Aviation Higher Apprenticeship/Foundation degree in Aerospace Computer systems. I believe it combines software, electronic hardware and systems engineering and leads onto a honours degree and incorporated engineer status towards chartership and they take about 8 a year.

[joshuan542]

hi there,i to want to be an AME. i have a great answer for you go to Barry college courses and apply for the Aircraft engineering Pre-Apprenticeship course there, you only need low GCSE's and it is all based in Cardiff airport and at the british airways maintenance centre, i will be starting there in September :D i cant wait and look forward to it, and the beauty of it is you can spend 5 years there and get a degree it works like this
unless you have high GCSe's you can hop right in but i dont:
Pre-Apprenticeship (GCSE: D's and E's)
National Award (GCSE: C-A*)
BSc (Hons) degree (UCAS tariff points)
but if you complete the first 2 you can continue onto the degree :D
i strongly recommned you take a look. heres the link:
Welcome to Barry College | Your reasons. Your life. Your choice. Make it happen (http://www.barry.ac.uk/courseareadetails.asp?area=5)
good luck :D
P.S the course is held at the International centre of aerospace training on the tarmac of Cardiff wales airport :D and as a bonus you get to work with the British arways maintenance centre on long haul aircraft like the 747, 777, 737 aswell and soon maybe the A380 it is worth it.

[JordanW92]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I really appreciate it. It's been about 8 months since I started this thread :eek: (I'm due to finish my A-Levels in June)

After taking everything on board I've recently applied for the Monarch Aircraft Engineering Scheme. It would be ideal to be based at Manchester because it's fairly local to me and I see it as a genuine alternative to university. I've been invited to the initial assessment at London Luton Airport. I was wondering what can I expect from this assessment? I imagine there will be tests of some description, an interview? Will there be anything I can prepare for? I'll do my homework on the history of the company, fleet, routes etc.

[hightower1986]

when is your assessment? I have just been and done mine with them, don't worry about company knowledge it isn't needed at this stage. I'm not going to tell you all the answers or tests but I recommend you revise your GCSE maths, English and Physics. Fairly straightforward testing, good luck. Oh and there is no interview at this stage, only if you do ok in the assessment will they invite you for one.

[apprenticetech]

HELLO! EVERYONE
i am currently doing a vehicle technician apprenticeship at vw (volkswagen ) I am really really interested in planes, and really want to become a aircraft tech, Is this a good way to go, have i got a better chance of becoming a aircraft tech then someone that has just come out of school or have a-levels??.

thanks again :)

[munster]

Hi apprenticetech
My son is an apprentice with a leading UK helicopter operator. One of his colleagues was part way through a vehicle apprenticeship before switching to helicopters. I would think it depends on those interviewing the candidates as I personally would think long and hard before employing somebody willing to quit one apprenticeship for another. The government fund apprenticeship upto age 25 now. If I were you I'd complete your current apprenticeship before looking at a career change. That way you'd have something to fall back on.
Good luck whatever you choose.:ok:

[fufuvalve]

I know this thread is old but has anyone used Part66-Engineer app on the iphone and then sat the EASA exams? Just wondered how accurate they are. Been using it for a few weeks and it has helped my knowledge level. There's a flashcard section in the new update as well.

[esscee]

Oh dear, another "instant Internet engineer".