My Options
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My Options
hi
i have just found an opportunity for me to take part in a modern engineering apprenticeship. this is a 4 year course which at the end i will recieve an NVQ level 3 in Aeronautical Engineering. i will also get £8000 a year and airline benifits.
my problem is to take up this opportunity i will have to cut short my A-levels so i will only have half A-levels (AS levels).
i was wondering how far up the scale would this qualification put me. would it be something that would guarentee me a job in the future. do airlines recognize this or would it be better to finish my A-levels in full
if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated
i have just found an opportunity for me to take part in a modern engineering apprenticeship. this is a 4 year course which at the end i will recieve an NVQ level 3 in Aeronautical Engineering. i will also get £8000 a year and airline benifits.
my problem is to take up this opportunity i will have to cut short my A-levels so i will only have half A-levels (AS levels).
i was wondering how far up the scale would this qualification put me. would it be something that would guarentee me a job in the future. do airlines recognize this or would it be better to finish my A-levels in full
if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated
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Do yourself the favour of a life time and find another trade-this ones had it in so many ways its a disaster-avionic maybe but a/c and particularly as a Licenced Eng-its a dieing trade - Do your full A levels and have another think about it meanwhile- best of luck whatever you do
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I hope that this is of some help.
I completed a year of A'levels, knowing that I wanted to be an aircraft engineer. I quit after a year (my own choice).
About a year down the line from leaving, I started a specific JAR 66 licence. I got picked up by a company, and started my Modern Apprenticeship. I haven't looked back since. I love my job and wouldn't have changed anything I did.
I think it depends what you want out of the industry. I wanted to be a shop floor, doing the work engineer, so in my opinion A'levels/degree would have been no real advantage to me.
Also, how much experience do you have of the industry, if you get there and decide you HATE it, you WILL kick yourself for not finishing your A'levels.
No dis-respect to "whatbolt" but don't pay any attention to people who tell you not to get into it. If is your ambition, and what you are looking for then DO IT. Like I said I LOVE my job, it is rewarding and challenging even if it is a little frustrating at times.
If you want any more info, please feel free to drop me an e-mail
[email protected]
Good luck!
"Some days you are the pigeon, some days you are ths statue!"
I completed a year of A'levels, knowing that I wanted to be an aircraft engineer. I quit after a year (my own choice).
About a year down the line from leaving, I started a specific JAR 66 licence. I got picked up by a company, and started my Modern Apprenticeship. I haven't looked back since. I love my job and wouldn't have changed anything I did.
I think it depends what you want out of the industry. I wanted to be a shop floor, doing the work engineer, so in my opinion A'levels/degree would have been no real advantage to me.
Also, how much experience do you have of the industry, if you get there and decide you HATE it, you WILL kick yourself for not finishing your A'levels.
No dis-respect to "whatbolt" but don't pay any attention to people who tell you not to get into it. If is your ambition, and what you are looking for then DO IT. Like I said I LOVE my job, it is rewarding and challenging even if it is a little frustrating at times.
If you want any more info, please feel free to drop me an e-mail
[email protected]
Good luck!
"Some days you are the pigeon, some days you are ths statue!"
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Helieng-no disrespect taken and I've had some very good times as well but the youngster is asking if he is guaranteed a job and as a lot of engineers are finding out at present the prospects in this trade have always been cyclic and sometimes more cyclic than others, agreed if he is deterimind than go for it, but I think the position of LAE has its days numbered along with the level of respect that went with it in days past
I think you've got good options there, both the apprenticeship and the A-levels. Working with aeroplanes is good, at many levels, despite a few jaded individuals above.
A-levels are pretty much a necessity for many things - for example if later you want to do an Engineering degree, they will put you in a better position than an NVQ4 will alone. I'd suggest going to the potential sponsor and saying that you desperately want to do the course, but equally want to complete your A-levels. Ask the straight question of whether they can either give you a years deferment, or provide opportunity for you to complete your A-levels whilst with them. If they are a decent employer, they should be able to make room for one of these options.
G
A-levels are pretty much a necessity for many things - for example if later you want to do an Engineering degree, they will put you in a better position than an NVQ4 will alone. I'd suggest going to the potential sponsor and saying that you desperately want to do the course, but equally want to complete your A-levels. Ask the straight question of whether they can either give you a years deferment, or provide opportunity for you to complete your A-levels whilst with them. If they are a decent employer, they should be able to make room for one of these options.
G
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Hi folks.
I'm not in the Aircraft fixing buisness, but I am in the ATC engineering business, and I did both - I finished my A Levels, didn't do all that great but also did a 3 year Modern Apprenticeship in Datacommunications with the M.O.D., and I have to say this was a good choice. I finished my A levels and I'm glad I did, not only for the practice it gave me at supping the old beer, but also cos it helped me no-end when doing my Apprenticeship cos I was a step ahead of the game as far as the theory side of life goes. I agree with Ghengis. Ask the company for a defferment. If they are any good they'll wait for you.
P.s. I always wanted to get into the line of work your looking at, and I'm always annoyed at myself I didn't do it!! Farnborough looked good when I went for a tour. Good luck.
I'm not in the Aircraft fixing buisness, but I am in the ATC engineering business, and I did both - I finished my A Levels, didn't do all that great but also did a 3 year Modern Apprenticeship in Datacommunications with the M.O.D., and I have to say this was a good choice. I finished my A levels and I'm glad I did, not only for the practice it gave me at supping the old beer, but also cos it helped me no-end when doing my Apprenticeship cos I was a step ahead of the game as far as the theory side of life goes. I agree with Ghengis. Ask the company for a defferment. If they are any good they'll wait for you.
P.s. I always wanted to get into the line of work your looking at, and I'm always annoyed at myself I didn't do it!! Farnborough looked good when I went for a tour. Good luck.
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By the time you change your mind the A levels will not be much of an escape route.
If changing wheels in the freezing rain on a windswept piece of tarmac is your idea of fun then go for the apprenticeship, otherwise head off for a job driving the bloody things. Better still give this job a wide berth and find something in a nice warm office!
If changing wheels in the freezing rain on a windswept piece of tarmac is your idea of fun then go for the apprenticeship, otherwise head off for a job driving the bloody things. Better still give this job a wide berth and find something in a nice warm office!
Nuts, if you hate our profession that much, why don't you do the other thing ?
Having fixed, flown, and helped design aeroplanes, as well as doing the "cushy office job", the latter is the only one I'd rather avoid given the choice.
G
Having fixed, flown, and helped design aeroplanes, as well as doing the "cushy office job", the latter is the only one I'd rather avoid given the choice.
G
Last edited by Genghis the Engineer; 6th May 2002 at 21:52.
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Ghengis has it right, try and do the 'A' Levels and defer the apprenticeship. You won't need them now but they might come in handy years later and they never wear out.
Take no notice of the whingers, engineering calls for practical, pragmatic people, the sort who get on with it and don't whinge. Whatever you do end up doing, as long as its what you really want and you enjoy it - that's what counts. I haven't got rich but I've loved every minute of it and would do it all again, regardless.
Good Luck!
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Through difficulties to the cinema
Take no notice of the whingers, engineering calls for practical, pragmatic people, the sort who get on with it and don't whinge. Whatever you do end up doing, as long as its what you really want and you enjoy it - that's what counts. I haven't got rich but I've loved every minute of it and would do it all again, regardless.
Good Luck!
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
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the modern apprenticship is with virgin atlantic. so hopefully will be playing with the big toys.
they say that it " also puts you well on the way to the aircraft maintenance engineers' licence under the new European Joint Aviation Authorities. "
I dont know what this is worth but could this help more then the A-levels. Im not doing to well at the moment so its a decision to stay on and struggle for another year for poor results or take this place and work hard to something that appeals to me.
i did want to be a pilot but due to the poor results ive put that out of my mind but i do want to work with aircraft in some way. i did do a weeks work experiance with the RAF at Odiam working on their chinooks, but i dont know how far this is from working with the civil airlines.
they say that it " also puts you well on the way to the aircraft maintenance engineers' licence under the new European Joint Aviation Authorities. "
I dont know what this is worth but could this help more then the A-levels. Im not doing to well at the moment so its a decision to stay on and struggle for another year for poor results or take this place and work hard to something that appeals to me.
i did want to be a pilot but due to the poor results ive put that out of my mind but i do want to work with aircraft in some way. i did do a weeks work experiance with the RAF at Odiam working on their chinooks, but i dont know how far this is from working with the civil airlines.
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HUM,,,,,,,,,,,,,so you think that because you have poor results you are better suited to becoming an engineer rarther then a pilot ?????
Dont you think you have to be educated to become an engineer ?????????????.
I dont know about anybody else but i DO have to use my brain every day working on aicraft, and i do feel if you have poor results maybe becoming a pilot would be an easier option !!!!
( Just chuck loads of money at flying lessons,,!!!! )
ps ,,normally helps to have rich parents,,!!!
Dont you think you have to be educated to become an engineer ?????????????.
I dont know about anybody else but i DO have to use my brain every day working on aicraft, and i do feel if you have poor results maybe becoming a pilot would be an easier option !!!!
( Just chuck loads of money at flying lessons,,!!!! )
ps ,,normally helps to have rich parents,,!!!
Kilabeez has a point. To become a qualified Engineer (in it's various forms from licensed to Chartered) takes years and a lot of work - probably more than an ATPL does, although a lot less money.
If you are bright, practical but not academic, then going for Licensed engineer is not a bad idea, but aiming to be an Engineer because you don't think you're bright enough to become a pilot could rebound on you quite badly.
G
If you are bright, practical but not academic, then going for Licensed engineer is not a bad idea, but aiming to be an Engineer because you don't think you're bright enough to become a pilot could rebound on you quite badly.
G
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Genghis,
Too late for me to do the other thing and I don't hate this profession. In fact I agree with you that most office based jobs in this business suck and that the best times have definately involved turning spanners and the like.
Perhaps I am just getting a little jaded..... come to think of it I followed exactly the path Jim is talking about. All I meant was if you are a academic type then an office career might be more appealing than what you have to admit can be some quite harsh working conditions.
However, I do stick by my opinion that the A levels will not be much help if Jim has a change of heart. After 5 years they will not get him back into acadamia without some sort of access course.
Nuts
Too late for me to do the other thing and I don't hate this profession. In fact I agree with you that most office based jobs in this business suck and that the best times have definately involved turning spanners and the like.
Perhaps I am just getting a little jaded..... come to think of it I followed exactly the path Jim is talking about. All I meant was if you are a academic type then an office career might be more appealing than what you have to admit can be some quite harsh working conditions.
However, I do stick by my opinion that the A levels will not be much help if Jim has a change of heart. After 5 years they will not get him back into acadamia without some sort of access course.
Nuts
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i know that there will be work involved im not saying that there isnt. but this course is only asking for about 5 GCSE`s at C or above which i have. would it be worth doing this course to get into the industry and would it keep me there. would having this NVQ put me right at the bottom of the food chain.
if i do takeup the course then i may go back to the idea of being a pilot or if it appeals to me which it should i would like to stay doing the job, but would this make me the crap at the bottom.
if i do takeup the course then i may go back to the idea of being a pilot or if it appeals to me which it should i would like to stay doing the job, but would this make me the crap at the bottom.
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Apprentices ARE the crap at the bottom Jim lad. 
...but we all have to start somewhere.
The idea is to gain the required experience and learn the theory as quickly as possible so that you get your JAR66 B1 licence as fast as you can. Then you get your employer to provide you with a JAR 147 type approval course and take your company Quality Assurance board to get your certification approval and Bob's yer Uncle! All you need then is a bit of time and a bit of promotion. You'd end up as a certifying LAE on about 30 grand with shift pay if you're about average.
Go the other way to be a pilot and you'd still be taking out bank loans to finance your own training and development at about the time you finally qualify as an LAE. Granted, a B747 captain makes a tidy packet but not all pilots reach the left hand seat of a widebody airliner. Take a look at the Wannabees Forum for a look at grim reality...
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
...but we all have to start somewhere.
The idea is to gain the required experience and learn the theory as quickly as possible so that you get your JAR66 B1 licence as fast as you can. Then you get your employer to provide you with a JAR 147 type approval course and take your company Quality Assurance board to get your certification approval and Bob's yer Uncle! All you need then is a bit of time and a bit of promotion. You'd end up as a certifying LAE on about 30 grand with shift pay if you're about average.
Go the other way to be a pilot and you'd still be taking out bank loans to finance your own training and development at about the time you finally qualify as an LAE. Granted, a B747 captain makes a tidy packet but not all pilots reach the left hand seat of a widebody airliner. Take a look at the Wannabees Forum for a look at grim reality...
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
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so what sort of time scale would this be to get to an LAE (what is that anyway). 
ive always wanted to work with aircraft some how and this is the first opportunity if had so i am seriosly considering it, but if its the biggest load of crap then im not likely to take it.
would this NVQ get me to the top in the end???????
ive always wanted to work with aircraft some how and this is the first opportunity if had so i am seriosly considering it, but if its the biggest load of crap then im not likely to take it. would this NVQ get me to the top in the end???????
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Loads of people put up with the *loads of crap* caus they enjoy there job,,,,maybe this is the mistake you are making ,,,do the job you want to do,,and put up with the crap,,
* dont all jobs have crap parts*,,??
Oh except *peter stringfellow*,,now that is a job i would get out of bed for,,,hehehehe,,
LAE,,= low pay for the job you do,,!!!
Just kidding,,licensed aircraft engineer,,
* dont all jobs have crap parts*,,??
Oh except *peter stringfellow*,,now that is a job i would get out of bed for,,,hehehehe,,
LAE,,= low pay for the job you do,,!!!
Just kidding,,licensed aircraft engineer,,
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Hi,
Here goes my first post!
I came out of a production enviroment into a/c eng, & made it to LAE in 5 yrs! There have been guys that have done it quicker
but requires alot of hard work. mainly home study, up to 2 hrs a night 3-4 days a week for 12mths-24mths & longer. you make your own time scale.
I dont know much about these nvq's it was C & G's in my day,
but any decent employer will allow/sponser you through further
education for onc,hnc,hnd or even a degree.
LAE will be about as far as you will get if you want to stay playing with a/c, otherwise you'll have to join the management ranks.
Theres plenty of scope for a career it's all a matter of what you want to do
If i can pass my licence's then anyone can,provided you put the work in.
Hope this helps.
Here goes my first post!
I came out of a production enviroment into a/c eng, & made it to LAE in 5 yrs! There have been guys that have done it quicker
but requires alot of hard work. mainly home study, up to 2 hrs a night 3-4 days a week for 12mths-24mths & longer. you make your own time scale.
I dont know much about these nvq's it was C & G's in my day,
but any decent employer will allow/sponser you through further
education for onc,hnc,hnd or even a degree.
LAE will be about as far as you will get if you want to stay playing with a/c, otherwise you'll have to join the management ranks.
Theres plenty of scope for a career it's all a matter of what you want to do
If i can pass my licence's then anyone can,provided you put the work in.
Hope this helps.