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Old 4th Feb 2015, 16:42
  #11 (permalink)  
blue_ashy
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: UK
Age: 35
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I assume you are looking at going into this from a practical point of view. There are several routes be it maintenance, manufacturing etc. The only way to find out what is out there is to make a list of all companies under each banner and search. Unfortunately the hands on aircraft stuff is quite difficult to find and even more difficult to get into. At the airlines it is very difficult to hit the right job as often they only recruit experienced people or something even rarer is they will take on very small numbers to train up themselves. The amount of airlines that base their maintenance here and also actively train up new engineers for their workforce is really extremely small compared to how many are looking to get into it.

A very good and broad option where there is a distinct shortage is manufacturing and everything around that although chances are you won't get to touch a fully functioning aircraft. Airbus take on a huge number of people every year at Broughton and Filton and if you can get on there or at any other large company it is a job for life.

Bare in mind also that the Aerospace industry is huge and not just limited to several companies like Airbus, BAE and the airlines. There are hundreds of companies who make up the supply chain and skilled labour within it is fast becoming scarce as people retire and the smaller companies aren't exactly eager to take on people from zero.

Having a degree is pretty much essential beyond apprenticeship/craft level and without specific experience it is pretty much the absolute minimum just to get you into the interview room. Anything further beyond that and you are looking at needing specialist knowledge for example attained through an MSc which fulfills the educational requirements for chartership.

If you have some experience and are willing to go in with an open mind you could very easily get a job in the engineering sector but I would certainly consider looking past the maintenance type stuff because it is an extremely small branch of engineering that is extremely difficult to get into.
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