Help for guys leaving school
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: cardiff
Age: 34
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Help for guys leaving school
Hello guys,
Having reading through a few threads I've come across a few posts on what to do when you leave school and I'm shocked that there Isn't much talk in the way of aviation apprenticeships. I do understand before we start that not as much schemes are being put out with the current climate but that being said in my local area of south Wales, BA are running two separate apprenticeships and a GE one as well and these are all within 40 odd miles of each other.
I do feel very strongly about this as i know exactly how it feel to come from school and have no idea what to do!
Id like to start by giving you and idea with where I'm at, as I believe giving advice without substance is very inappropriate!
I started my 3 year modern apprenticeship with BAMC (British Airways Main Cardiff) 3 years ago with every intention of becoming an airline pilot (BIG THANK YOU to the guys on here who said to plan your flying before you start, best advice I've ever had).
The apprenticeship consisted of One year based in college with exams every week, really tough ask! the next two years on aircraft.
Now I'm 21 years old and just about to finish with a "guaranteed" job. I have zero flying hours and no flying exams under my belt at all.
You may be asking well why does this have relevance to being coming a pilot?
well
I now see my job as a library of flying information, i have an unlimited source of contracts including flight crew, engineers and managers. All working in a big airline. (and i get to play with heavy jets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I'm used to high pressure exam situations which i expect to find with my flying, i have had my job hang on one exam results! not a nice feeling at all i promise you
I have staff travel, I intend to go to the states and do my flying, with my staff i spend more on a night out in Cardiff than i would on a flight.
Most high skilled aviation jobs are well paid. This is more or less self explanatory. To give you a further example I have been on a exchange to GE recently were I met a 22 year old who just finished his apprenticeship and was taking home 30K starting plus all the over time he cared to do.
Opportunity to pick up awards over the 3 years, two to my name during my time. Looks fantastic on my CV next to BA
I can train around the hours I work and I'M ALWAYS IN WORK (this is the big one if you have any sense). When I start and complete my flying I still have a job to fund hours to keep me current if i cant find a job. This also means I can avoid the heavy hit on loans from bank
I do genuinely hope this has help some one, haven't come across in a arrogant manor as I find the rare few do on here (aviation is a touch subject for some) or at the very least been slightly interesting to read as commenting on forums really isn't my thing, and remember
NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK
Having reading through a few threads I've come across a few posts on what to do when you leave school and I'm shocked that there Isn't much talk in the way of aviation apprenticeships. I do understand before we start that not as much schemes are being put out with the current climate but that being said in my local area of south Wales, BA are running two separate apprenticeships and a GE one as well and these are all within 40 odd miles of each other.
I do feel very strongly about this as i know exactly how it feel to come from school and have no idea what to do!
Id like to start by giving you and idea with where I'm at, as I believe giving advice without substance is very inappropriate!
I started my 3 year modern apprenticeship with BAMC (British Airways Main Cardiff) 3 years ago with every intention of becoming an airline pilot (BIG THANK YOU to the guys on here who said to plan your flying before you start, best advice I've ever had).
The apprenticeship consisted of One year based in college with exams every week, really tough ask! the next two years on aircraft.
Now I'm 21 years old and just about to finish with a "guaranteed" job. I have zero flying hours and no flying exams under my belt at all.
You may be asking well why does this have relevance to being coming a pilot?
well
I now see my job as a library of flying information, i have an unlimited source of contracts including flight crew, engineers and managers. All working in a big airline. (and i get to play with heavy jets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I'm used to high pressure exam situations which i expect to find with my flying, i have had my job hang on one exam results! not a nice feeling at all i promise you
I have staff travel, I intend to go to the states and do my flying, with my staff i spend more on a night out in Cardiff than i would on a flight.
Most high skilled aviation jobs are well paid. This is more or less self explanatory. To give you a further example I have been on a exchange to GE recently were I met a 22 year old who just finished his apprenticeship and was taking home 30K starting plus all the over time he cared to do.
Opportunity to pick up awards over the 3 years, two to my name during my time. Looks fantastic on my CV next to BA
I can train around the hours I work and I'M ALWAYS IN WORK (this is the big one if you have any sense). When I start and complete my flying I still have a job to fund hours to keep me current if i cant find a job. This also means I can avoid the heavy hit on loans from bank
I do genuinely hope this has help some one, haven't come across in a arrogant manor as I find the rare few do on here (aviation is a touch subject for some) or at the very least been slightly interesting to read as commenting on forums really isn't my thing, and remember
NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: cardiff
Age: 34
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aerospace Mechanic/Tech. Its another viable way to pay for your integrated flight training if you have no financial backing such as myself compared to going to uni
Well done on getting a useful set of skills and a good job. I used to run Apprenticeship schemes in a previous life. Much better than being 21 with a so-so degree from the University of Average and a student loan of £27,000 to pay.
Be wary of thinking BA are going to wet their pants in excitement at receiving your CV. What their HR department thinks is the ideal applicants background may very well be totally different to that which you might expect..
Good luck,
WWW
Be wary of thinking BA are going to wet their pants in excitement at receiving your CV. What their HR department thinks is the ideal applicants background may very well be totally different to that which you might expect..
Good luck,
WWW
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: cardiff
Age: 34
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah totally agree with you, far more cost effective as its all free training. Id hope they'd like my CV I worked there for the last 3 years haha. With regard to the CV I meant when it comes to apply for scholarships (GAPAN) and future airlines positions.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Hampshire
Age: 30
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the post! It's nice for guys like me still in education to get an idea of how people do it!
Due to the rise in tuition fees I think that many people will think twice before going off. I don't plan to go myself and I agree with WWW that a skill is very useful. When leaving college I plan to get a translators qualification which will enable me to work for translation companies. Very random I know, but it provides a nice income and then hopefully I will be able to fund flight training and if I were ever to be made redundant I will have someone to fall back on!
Due to the rise in tuition fees I think that many people will think twice before going off. I don't plan to go myself and I agree with WWW that a skill is very useful. When leaving college I plan to get a translators qualification which will enable me to work for translation companies. Very random I know, but it provides a nice income and then hopefully I will be able to fund flight training and if I were ever to be made redundant I will have someone to fall back on!
danj:
The skill set attained through a traditional albeit sadly increasingly rare apprentiship scheme is certainly worth having and should prove its worth in more ways than one.
WWW:
Ok, I'll bite. With a degree in the black art of psycho-babble, what do you believe to be the favoured criteria in this brave new world of push button bingo and follow the magenta line?
The skill set attained through a traditional albeit sadly increasingly rare apprentiship scheme is certainly worth having and should prove its worth in more ways than one.
WWW:
Be wary of thinking BA are going to wet their pants in excitement at receiving your CV. What their HR department thinks is the ideal applicants background may very well be totally different to that which you might expect..
Ok, I'll bite. With a degree in the black art of psycho-babble, what do you believe to be the favoured criteria in this brave new world of push button bingo and follow the magenta line?
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dan
What you've done and are doing will certainly stand you in good stead when you come to apply for a GAPAN scholarship.
See: Guild Young Members Group
FL
With regard to the CV I meant when it comes to apply for scholarships (GAPAN) ...........
NETWORK ..........
FL
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: cardiff
Age: 34
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
note sure how to make a quote so ill just c&p for now.
"Ok, I'll bite. With a degree in the black art of psycho-babble, what do you believe to be the favouered criteria in this brave new world of push button bingo and follow the magenta line?"
Well brought up! I love it when I get asked this question because i totally believe its swings and a roundabouts.
From experience talking to skippers ETC I get the general feeling the like of BA like you to have a degree were as smaller regional airlines are looking for a high calibre applicant in what ever they have done in a previous life.
The plan for me is to get flying and do a BCS in aerospace engineering when i'm settled. With the background I have and exams I have sat I could do the degree in 6month to a year (may seem a little arrogant but there is a story behind it but has no relevance to this thread)
And for any new guy coming from school and read my networking bit, its just happened to me
Quote:
NETWORK ..........
See: Guild Young Members Group
I had no idea about this but will do by the end of the week. big thank you!
DJ
"Ok, I'll bite. With a degree in the black art of psycho-babble, what do you believe to be the favouered criteria in this brave new world of push button bingo and follow the magenta line?"
Well brought up! I love it when I get asked this question because i totally believe its swings and a roundabouts.
From experience talking to skippers ETC I get the general feeling the like of BA like you to have a degree were as smaller regional airlines are looking for a high calibre applicant in what ever they have done in a previous life.
The plan for me is to get flying and do a BCS in aerospace engineering when i'm settled. With the background I have and exams I have sat I could do the degree in 6month to a year (may seem a little arrogant but there is a story behind it but has no relevance to this thread)
And for any new guy coming from school and read my networking bit, its just happened to me
Quote:
NETWORK ..........
See: Guild Young Members Group
I had no idea about this but will do by the end of the week. big thank you!
DJ
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Belfast
Age: 29
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi guys, im 16 and from Belfast. Im looking to train in a year and a half or so. I have been looking into my various options and both I and my parents like the sounds of OAA. Any opinions?
Also I was reading there about requirements for pilots. Do I have to wait until im 23 until I can work for an airline?
Also I was reading there about requirements for pilots. Do I have to wait until im 23 until I can work for an airline?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: cardiff
Age: 34
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
try the search function in the top corner, lots of stuff on OAA.
Id be more inclined to got to FTE in Jerez but even if I had the money to go integrated I wouldn't as its a lot more money for exactly the same qualification, personal opinion there anyway.
With regard to the age as long as your over 18 your fine but some airline may or may not like you to have some life experience before but there are more well informed people on here that me on that matter.
Id be more inclined to got to FTE in Jerez but even if I had the money to go integrated I wouldn't as its a lot more money for exactly the same qualification, personal opinion there anyway.
With regard to the age as long as your over 18 your fine but some airline may or may not like you to have some life experience before but there are more well informed people on here that me on that matter.
