Pilot Apprentice - Jet 2
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Hi rudestuff
I have tried calling the Jet2 phone numbers that are in the public domain but the people who answer those phones politely refuse to give the recruitment number to me. I don’t work for Jet2 and do not know anyone that does work for them. Sadly my psychic talents are not what they used to be, maybe you have confused me with my evil twin, mysticmick.
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Update
Just had a reply from Jet2, I was under consideration for the next intake but progress of my application has now ceased. The reason given is that Jet2 have massive interest in the scheme (understandable) and many applicants are from instructors and people currently flying regularly who have better flying currency than I do so they are getting the nod (again understandable). Frustrating but at least they bothered to reply and put me in the picture.
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Having had some time to reflect on the subject, I have a few points on the currency requirement for the Pilot Apprenticeship that I thought I might share and invite your comments on:
Single pilot light MEP/SEP currency counts for little against multi-crew flying of a swept wing jet with 180 plus people, all their luggage and thousands of litres of fuel on board, that’s why we have MPL as well as CPL/MEIR these days.
If you recruit someone with good currency straight onto a type rating, I can see how the currency might have some benefit. However this is recruitment for a 12 month apprenticeship so any currency that the apprentice has on day one has eroded by the time they actually get into the sim, unless Jet2 insist that they maintain a level of currency during their ground assignment time.
If an apprentice with low currency is recruited they would have 12 months to get their currency up to a reasonable level before starting type rating. Individuals might be willing to spend hundreds/ thousands on currency flying if they know that they have the type rating waiting for them in 12 months rather than getting their currency up and run the risk of still not getting recruited.
Surely it would be better to recruit those that can pass the assessment (regardless of currency) and then allocate them one day per month jump seat with an operational crew and 2hrs per month sim time with an instructor. That way after 12 months you have someone starting a type rating who has experienced company SOPs at work and how professional crews operate the aircraft and they will have 24hrs experience of how the actual aircraft handles and would pose a much lower training risk.
Just my thoughts and genuinely not ‘sour grapes’ on my part as I think that the apprenticeship is an excellent scheme.
Ultimately of course this is a Jet2 recruitment campaign, they set the requirements and do not listen to my ramblings.
Good luck to those that have been recruited.
Single pilot light MEP/SEP currency counts for little against multi-crew flying of a swept wing jet with 180 plus people, all their luggage and thousands of litres of fuel on board, that’s why we have MPL as well as CPL/MEIR these days.
If you recruit someone with good currency straight onto a type rating, I can see how the currency might have some benefit. However this is recruitment for a 12 month apprenticeship so any currency that the apprentice has on day one has eroded by the time they actually get into the sim, unless Jet2 insist that they maintain a level of currency during their ground assignment time.
If an apprentice with low currency is recruited they would have 12 months to get their currency up to a reasonable level before starting type rating. Individuals might be willing to spend hundreds/ thousands on currency flying if they know that they have the type rating waiting for them in 12 months rather than getting their currency up and run the risk of still not getting recruited.
Surely it would be better to recruit those that can pass the assessment (regardless of currency) and then allocate them one day per month jump seat with an operational crew and 2hrs per month sim time with an instructor. That way after 12 months you have someone starting a type rating who has experienced company SOPs at work and how professional crews operate the aircraft and they will have 24hrs experience of how the actual aircraft handles and would pose a much lower training risk.
Just my thoughts and genuinely not ‘sour grapes’ on my part as I think that the apprenticeship is an excellent scheme.
Ultimately of course this is a Jet2 recruitment campaign, they set the requirements and do not listen to my ramblings.
Good luck to those that have been recruited.
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Why would they bin the scheme? The scheme isn’t just about putting a bum on a seat - if that was the case then the numerous number of Ryanair pilots wanting to leave would be mopped up.
The scheme is about selecting quality people, giving them an insight into all aspects of the business and then nurturing them as a Pilot.
It’s a great scheme. Good luck to those applying.
The scheme is about selecting quality people, giving them an insight into all aspects of the business and then nurturing them as a Pilot.
It’s a great scheme. Good luck to those applying.
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https://www.virtualaviation.co.uk/jet2
Last edited by virtualaviation; 23rd Apr 2018 at 21:14. Reason: Added more detail.
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Magicmick I agree with your thoughts on the currency element with a one year ground based job, but with so many applications I guess it's used as a filter. I too would spend a lot more on flying if I had a job offer and guaranteed type rating.
I also received the same two emails only a few days apart. The reply I got was that they had now filled their October requirements, hence the quick rejection email, which seems very quick as it was done in less than a week. Also, I see the advert is still running which also seems rather bizarre if they have filled posts right up to October. As it's the same advert that I applied to many months ago it won't let me reapply due to duplication, although I have done a lot of flying since my original application, so ironically, I would meet their currency requirements now more than I did in my original application.
I also received the same two emails only a few days apart. The reply I got was that they had now filled their October requirements, hence the quick rejection email, which seems very quick as it was done in less than a week. Also, I see the advert is still running which also seems rather bizarre if they have filled posts right up to October. As it's the same advert that I applied to many months ago it won't let me reapply due to duplication, although I have done a lot of flying since my original application, so ironically, I would meet their currency requirements now more than I did in my original application.
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Thoughts
My mate works for them and he really rates them as an employer. I think the aprentice gig would have been fun, besides I’m too old for FR. I’m half glad I fell at the SIM hurdle, to have reached the required standard and not get a job must be a killer but onwards and upwards.
Good Luck if you apply again.
Good Luck if you apply again.
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Thank-you all very much for your contributions, some very interesting stuff.
I was not aware that the apprentices go through JOC training as part of the scheme, which sounds great but does beg the question why the requirement for JOC and currency when training is conducted during the apprenticeship? I hope that the apprentices are not expected to pay for the additional training.
The VA open day looks good, however I note that the requirements state “To be eligible for the Open Day, you should already be undergoing commercial pilot training and be expecting to have a completed CPL ME/IR by the end of 2018.” Does this mean that people who already have the licence and MCC/JOC are excluded? If so that’s a real shame and is just a VA marketing scheme to promote their courses.
I assume that the recruitment ad is still open to stop people who have already applied and been rejected from reapplying for the next entry, maybe they will introduce a rule stopping rejected applicants from reapplying for 12 months after rejection, I hope not.
I have read lots of good things about Jet2 as an employer on PPRuNe and I don’t think that I have read any negatives about working for them.
Thanks again for your opinions, keep them coming.
I was not aware that the apprentices go through JOC training as part of the scheme, which sounds great but does beg the question why the requirement for JOC and currency when training is conducted during the apprenticeship? I hope that the apprentices are not expected to pay for the additional training.
The VA open day looks good, however I note that the requirements state “To be eligible for the Open Day, you should already be undergoing commercial pilot training and be expecting to have a completed CPL ME/IR by the end of 2018.” Does this mean that people who already have the licence and MCC/JOC are excluded? If so that’s a real shame and is just a VA marketing scheme to promote their courses.
I assume that the recruitment ad is still open to stop people who have already applied and been rejected from reapplying for the next entry, maybe they will introduce a rule stopping rejected applicants from reapplying for 12 months after rejection, I hope not.
I have read lots of good things about Jet2 as an employer on PPRuNe and I don’t think that I have read any negatives about working for them.
Thanks again for your opinions, keep them coming.
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The reason for stating... “To be eligible for the Open Day, you should already be undergoing commercial pilot training and be expecting to have a completed CPL ME/IR by the end of 2018”... is to make clear that this day is not for people who just considering a pilot career, or in the very early stages of training.
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Having had some time to reflect on the subject, I have a few points on the currency requirement for the Pilot Apprenticeship that I thought I might share and invite your comments on:
Single pilot light MEP/SEP currency counts for little against multi-crew flying of a swept wing jet with 180 plus people, all their luggage and thousands of litres of fuel on board, that’s why we have MPL as well as CPL/MEIR these days.
If you recruit someone with good currency straight onto a type rating, I can see how the currency might have some benefit. However this is recruitment for a 12 month apprenticeship so any currency that the apprentice has on day one has eroded by the time they actually get into the sim, unless Jet2 insist that they maintain a level of currency during their ground assignment time.
If an apprentice with low currency is recruited they would have 12 months to get their currency up to a reasonable level before starting type rating. Individuals might be willing to spend hundreds/ thousands on currency flying if they know that they have the type rating waiting for them in 12 months rather than getting their currency up and run the risk of still not getting recruited.
Surely it would be better to recruit those that can pass the assessment (regardless of currency) and then allocate them one day per month jump seat with an operational crew and 2hrs per month sim time with an instructor. That way after 12 months you have someone starting a type rating who has experienced company SOPs at work and how professional crews operate the aircraft and they will have 24hrs experience of how the actual aircraft handles and would pose a much lower training risk.
Just my thoughts and genuinely not ‘sour grapes’ on my part as I think that the apprenticeship is an excellent scheme.
Ultimately of course this is a Jet2 recruitment campaign, they set the requirements and do not listen to my ramblings.
Good luck to those that have been recruited.
Single pilot light MEP/SEP currency counts for little against multi-crew flying of a swept wing jet with 180 plus people, all their luggage and thousands of litres of fuel on board, that’s why we have MPL as well as CPL/MEIR these days.
If you recruit someone with good currency straight onto a type rating, I can see how the currency might have some benefit. However this is recruitment for a 12 month apprenticeship so any currency that the apprentice has on day one has eroded by the time they actually get into the sim, unless Jet2 insist that they maintain a level of currency during their ground assignment time.
If an apprentice with low currency is recruited they would have 12 months to get their currency up to a reasonable level before starting type rating. Individuals might be willing to spend hundreds/ thousands on currency flying if they know that they have the type rating waiting for them in 12 months rather than getting their currency up and run the risk of still not getting recruited.
Surely it would be better to recruit those that can pass the assessment (regardless of currency) and then allocate them one day per month jump seat with an operational crew and 2hrs per month sim time with an instructor. That way after 12 months you have someone starting a type rating who has experienced company SOPs at work and how professional crews operate the aircraft and they will have 24hrs experience of how the actual aircraft handles and would pose a much lower training risk.
Just my thoughts and genuinely not ‘sour grapes’ on my part as I think that the apprenticeship is an excellent scheme.
Ultimately of course this is a Jet2 recruitment campaign, they set the requirements and do not listen to my ramblings.
Good luck to those that have been recruited.
On your points about recency;
A recent change to the scheme now sees each apprentice receiving some recency SEP time during the ground based stage to keep their skills up. I believe their is a structure to these flights focussing on particular aspects.
Each apprentice also does get the chance to Jump seat (I did over 15 in my time) during the crew room stage and their is a newly added structure and workbook to complete for those flights.
I believe JOCs are required at the start to show you have had jet exposure and have achieved that level of training. Doing another in house JOC is very beneficial In that it will advance your skills and give you some sim receny just before a busy TR!
Also, I believe there already is a rule where you won’t be considered within 12 months if already unsuccessful.
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I got through to the last 8 on the interview day and was unsuccessful, I was told I could reapply in 6 months, which I did via the website. Then I received a emailing after about a month saying that all the posts have been filled and I was being considered for a later intake. I have not received a second email, so I guess I'm lucky and still in with a shot
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Hi Benish
Thank-you so much for the inside info, congratulations on getting a place on one of the best schemes around for low hours ladies and gents. Great to hear that there is now some recency training and some jump seat opportunities during the ground phase, I was not aware of any 12 month ban on re-applying as I have applied twice in 12 months before but maybe the 12 month rule now applies.
Hi Toplad
Well done on getting so far but it must be frustrating not to land the gig though you're still in the game and that has to count for something, do you mind sharing some info are you just out of training or are you currently flying as an instructor, para dropper, survey pilot etc? Good luck with having another bite at the cherry next time.
Thank-you so much for the inside info, congratulations on getting a place on one of the best schemes around for low hours ladies and gents. Great to hear that there is now some recency training and some jump seat opportunities during the ground phase, I was not aware of any 12 month ban on re-applying as I have applied twice in 12 months before but maybe the 12 month rule now applies.
Hi Toplad
Well done on getting so far but it must be frustrating not to land the gig though you're still in the game and that has to count for something, do you mind sharing some info are you just out of training or are you currently flying as an instructor, para dropper, survey pilot etc? Good luck with having another bite at the cherry next time.
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I applied a few months ago as a newly graduated low-hours pilot. The whole process was very quick.
As far as I can remember the video interview was three questions of around 3 minutes each. You have a batch of practice questions that you can use to get warmed up, as the whole process of a video interview is quite strange at first. There are unlimited attempts for this, so you can keep on practicing until you're comfortable. The real questions were typical interview classics, such as "Why do you want to be a pilot", "What's your greatest achievement?", and "Why do you want to work for Jet2?". I think you could have one retake per question if you thought your answer was really bad, but I just fired and forgot my first attempts. On the same day I received an email to say I was through to the next stage, being the aptitude tests.
I did the aptitude tests a couple of days later, and they were in the same format as the Ryanair CutE tests. As far as I can remember there was: Monitoring (counting moving balls); Reaction Time (self explanatory); Spacial Awareness (reading RMIs); Multi-Tasking (again, self explanatory); and Hand-Eye Coordination (guiding a ball through moving holes). Then there was a basic maths, physics and logic test, consisting of around 20 questions.
I received a phone call the day after to say I was invited to a sim assessment, group task and interview day the following week. I was sent some material with the sim profile, pitch/power settings, etc, and was told to prepare for departures and approaches from and into Manchester. On the day there were four others, all of varying ages, and all applying for their first job. The head of pilot recruitment was there, as well as three current pilots who did the interviews. The day started with a short presentation about Jet2, and what to expect as a pilot apprentice. The group assessment followed, and was the classic "sinking ship" scenario. It lasted around 40 minutes, was quite good fun, and everyone worked together well.
Then it was the interview, with two current pilots. It was a fairly standard airline competency interview, with a "Tell us about yourself" starter, followed by vanilla questions such as "What do you know about Jet2?", "Why do you want to work for Jet2?", and then into the motivational stuff. "Why do you want to become a pilot?", "What makes a good pilot", that sort of stuff. The competency questions were customer service based, so I had questions regarding examples of when I provided good customer service, persuaded somebody, led a team, and dealt with conflict. It lasted about 45 minutes.
Everyone had a 1-1 meeting with the recruitment manager after their interview for the verdict. If you passed the group task and interview, you would go down the road for the sim assessment. Unfortunately, I fell short on the interview, and the recruitment manager told me that the interviewers weren't happy with some of my competency answers. I wouldn't be going any further, and it was sent off for an early bath. Obviously I was gutted, even more so because I thought I had a really good interview. I must admit that I felt uncomfortable from the start, and couldn't really relax on the day. It felt a bit like I didn't belong, and the other applicants and Jet2 staff were on a different wavelength to me. So it wasn't the end of the world, as I wasn't right for Jet2, and Jet2 weren't right for me. Whether the others passed, I don't know. Still, credit to the Jet2 team, at least they give you feedback to your face and tell you what they didn't like. At least you can dust yourself down and learn from your mistakes, rather than just being given a PFO e-mail like some airlines do. I wasn't happy with their decision, but I respect them for telling it to your face, on the day. More airlines should do that.
I have zero malice against Jet2, as I believe things are meant to be and my face didn't fit anyway. A couple of weeks later I was offered a FO job for another British airline which is where I am now, and loving it. My personal advice would be to do as much as you possibly can to get a flying job in this current recruitment peak, as the chances of getting in the right-hand seat are at their highest. The apprentice scheme is good, but it's 10-12 months on the ground before you start a type rating. Dip your bread, that's what I say.
Hope this has helped, and good luck to anyone thinking of applying!
As far as I can remember the video interview was three questions of around 3 minutes each. You have a batch of practice questions that you can use to get warmed up, as the whole process of a video interview is quite strange at first. There are unlimited attempts for this, so you can keep on practicing until you're comfortable. The real questions were typical interview classics, such as "Why do you want to be a pilot", "What's your greatest achievement?", and "Why do you want to work for Jet2?". I think you could have one retake per question if you thought your answer was really bad, but I just fired and forgot my first attempts. On the same day I received an email to say I was through to the next stage, being the aptitude tests.
I did the aptitude tests a couple of days later, and they were in the same format as the Ryanair CutE tests. As far as I can remember there was: Monitoring (counting moving balls); Reaction Time (self explanatory); Spacial Awareness (reading RMIs); Multi-Tasking (again, self explanatory); and Hand-Eye Coordination (guiding a ball through moving holes). Then there was a basic maths, physics and logic test, consisting of around 20 questions.
I received a phone call the day after to say I was invited to a sim assessment, group task and interview day the following week. I was sent some material with the sim profile, pitch/power settings, etc, and was told to prepare for departures and approaches from and into Manchester. On the day there were four others, all of varying ages, and all applying for their first job. The head of pilot recruitment was there, as well as three current pilots who did the interviews. The day started with a short presentation about Jet2, and what to expect as a pilot apprentice. The group assessment followed, and was the classic "sinking ship" scenario. It lasted around 40 minutes, was quite good fun, and everyone worked together well.
Then it was the interview, with two current pilots. It was a fairly standard airline competency interview, with a "Tell us about yourself" starter, followed by vanilla questions such as "What do you know about Jet2?", "Why do you want to work for Jet2?", and then into the motivational stuff. "Why do you want to become a pilot?", "What makes a good pilot", that sort of stuff. The competency questions were customer service based, so I had questions regarding examples of when I provided good customer service, persuaded somebody, led a team, and dealt with conflict. It lasted about 45 minutes.
Everyone had a 1-1 meeting with the recruitment manager after their interview for the verdict. If you passed the group task and interview, you would go down the road for the sim assessment. Unfortunately, I fell short on the interview, and the recruitment manager told me that the interviewers weren't happy with some of my competency answers. I wouldn't be going any further, and it was sent off for an early bath. Obviously I was gutted, even more so because I thought I had a really good interview. I must admit that I felt uncomfortable from the start, and couldn't really relax on the day. It felt a bit like I didn't belong, and the other applicants and Jet2 staff were on a different wavelength to me. So it wasn't the end of the world, as I wasn't right for Jet2, and Jet2 weren't right for me. Whether the others passed, I don't know. Still, credit to the Jet2 team, at least they give you feedback to your face and tell you what they didn't like. At least you can dust yourself down and learn from your mistakes, rather than just being given a PFO e-mail like some airlines do. I wasn't happy with their decision, but I respect them for telling it to your face, on the day. More airlines should do that.
I have zero malice against Jet2, as I believe things are meant to be and my face didn't fit anyway. A couple of weeks later I was offered a FO job for another British airline which is where I am now, and loving it. My personal advice would be to do as much as you possibly can to get a flying job in this current recruitment peak, as the chances of getting in the right-hand seat are at their highest. The apprentice scheme is good, but it's 10-12 months on the ground before you start a type rating. Dip your bread, that's what I say.
Hope this has helped, and good luck to anyone thinking of applying!
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Jet2 pilot apprentice
Hi all,
Ive tried searching but I can’t seem to find much about jet2’s pilot apprenticeship scheme, can anyone shed some light about time scales and what the course entails??
thanks
Ive tried searching but I can’t seem to find much about jet2’s pilot apprenticeship scheme, can anyone shed some light about time scales and what the course entails??
thanks
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Last edited by Council Van; 21st Mar 2019 at 08:42.
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Jet2 Pilot Apprentice Scheme is open for applications again: https://icadet.com/jet2-com-pilot-ap...ted-july-2019/
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It's a shame that the scheme only pays £20k a year for 40 hours a week of work. For those moving into the industry from other careers, that salary is just not feasible. A great opportunity for the younger fATPLs though.