Need advice for starting a career in Aircraft Maintenance!!!
 

Afternoon all.
I want some advice on what to do in my current situation in trying to start a career in Aircraft Maintenance. I’m 20 years old; I’ve completed a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Aerospace Engineering back in July 2013. However, since finishing my course I have been finding it quite difficult trying to get into the industry or get any work experience. I have a D grade in English Language but a C grade English Literature, C grade in Maths and a Double Science Award (x2 B’s).



I’ve applied for many apprenticeship schemes earlier this year: British Airways, Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited, Airbus, BAE Systems, and QinetiQ. Most of these companies have accepted me for the initial assessment, with the exception of Airbus and BA, but I haven’t been successful getting past this stage and being invited for a 2nd interview.


I’m currently doing an English GCSE night course to get my English grade sorted and want to try apprenticeships again next year. However, most apprenticeship schemes seem to prefer taking 16-18 year olds onboard who just finished school. Would I really have a slight disadvantage being 20 year olds and already completed a level 3 course when applying for apprenticeships again????


I’ve also tried contacting small aircraft maintenance companies in hopes to get practical work experience but not much luck getting feedback I have also contemplated about the Approved IR Part 66 Category B course with Air Service Training in Perth, Scotland. Would anyone consider this as a good alternative to the apprenticeship route and would it help get me into an aircraft mechanic position???


It would be very appreciated if anyone could give me some guidance/ advice on what to do as I have a strong passion for this career and want to take the right steps into starting it.

RE: Need advice for starting a career in Aircraft Maintenance!!!
 

As someone who went through the apprenticeship route in Aircraft Engineering, I would definitely recommend this route. Although you have to remember there is no guarantee of a job at the end of any apprenticeship scheme the vast majority of apprentices end up being employed. It offers the best mix of theory and hands on practical experience.

As regards you age, do not worry too much about that. Yes, years ago a lot of apprenticeships were only open to 16-18 year olds but that has long gone and now there is quite a wide spread of ages [plus I think it is now also illegal for the employer to state an age bracket].

I would think very carefully about enrolling on any further courses that could cost you a lot of money and not necessarily get you any further in you application to get in at Mechanic level.

With regard to BA they are recruiting again this year, so it might be worth trying again, as I know from personal experience that the current age profile of the existing Engineers within BA is very high [ie they will be losing many engineers in the next few years due to retirements]

Also note at BA they are offering two apprenticeship schemes one is the traditional Aircraft Mechanic the other is an apprenticeship geared towards the cabin, while the second may not sound that exciting, it gives you another opportunity to get into a large Company like BA and once in, there are always options to apply for jobs/transfers internally.

Funding model is vastly different for 18 + and increases again at 19 & 20, so that will be an issue for any small company, large employers it's irrelevant. Hence year 1 for many is now under FE rather than employed. Dont need to know how old you are then :)

Further to my previous reply, picked up some leaflets showing that BA Engineering is again recruiting Apprentices to start in September 2015

As stated before there are two different Apprenticeship schemes

The traditional Aircraft Maintenance Apprenticeship and the Aircraft Appearance Apprenticeship [basically cabin work]

It does state grades A-C for for Aircraft Maintenance and A-D for Aircraft Appearance.

both state the schemes are ideally suited to 17-25 year olds [so being 20 should not be an obstacle]

Open for applications December 2014-February 2015

via: www.ba.com/careers

Good luck with your search

Sahill1994, if you want experience I have always done it by going down to an airfield and knocking on doors and asking. Good luck.