Are you looking to start your career in aviation and would like to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer? Here we explain the requirements you need to become an apprentice and to help you achieve your dreams.

The apprenticeship route is now seen as an accreditable alternative to college and university, and there are multiple apprenticeship programme levels that you can take to support your career development.

What is an apprenticeship?

“An apprenticeship is a job with training. Through an apprenticeship, an apprentice will gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and wider skills and behaviours that they need for their immediate job and future career.” – Education and Skills Funding Agency.

An apprenticeship allows an individual to combine work with an accompanying skills development programme, meaning apprentices gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and skills they need for their immediate job and future career. They gain this experience through a varied mix of learning in the workplace, formal ‘off-the-job’ training, and the opportunity to practise new skills in an actual working environment.

What does an Aircraft Engineer do?

As an aircraft engineer, you will be required to carry out approved maintenance repairs on aircraft to ensure they are safe to fly.

The type of aircraft you will work on varies depending on the company you work for, and will range from small aircraft to airliners, helicopters, and civil and military.  

You will learn the fundamental expertise, skills and behaviours required of an aircraft engineer. This involves highly qualified and skilled work, sustaining and managing aircraft systems and using appropriate hand tools and equipment. 

Can I go to college?

The simple answer is yes. However, we strongly recommend that you contact some potential employers e.g. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways and CHC to name a few, to establish which qualifications (A Levels, BTEC and T Levels), they would be willing to accept. This is because certain qualifications may have a significant impact on the amount of funding available to cover the cost of your training.

What qualifications do you need to apply?

•  You must have 5 GCSEs (with at least 4 at grades A* - C) including Maths, English and Science. We will ask for copies of your certificates at the beginning of the recruitment phase. Please note that some employers may require a higher achievement grade.

If you hold a degree or higher, we would advise you to look into an Engineer Graduate Programme or a level 4 certifying engineer apprenticeship.

 Eligibility for an apprentice

•  You must be eligible to live and work in the UK and “have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the British Overseas Territories, or Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship”. You must not be enrolled on any other Department for Education funded programme.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apprenticeship-funding-rules-for-employers/annex-a-eligibility-criteria-who-we-fund

What we look for:

• You should be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the company you have applied for and what the job entails.

• You show enthusiasm and passion for engineering and aviation in general.

• You communicate well.

• You understand the importance of safety.

• Show willingness to learn and develop yourself.

• An ability to demonstrate integrity and honesty.

• An ability to follow direction and processes in a respectful and compliant manner.

• You can work in a team and individually unsupervised.

• You are comfortable working at heights and in confined spaces.

What qualifications will you gain as an apprentice?

Year 1 – EAL Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Foundation Competence).  

EASA/UK CAA Part-66

Year 2 – EAL Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance (Development Competence).

If you would like to take a look at our current apprenticeship roles, visit: www.employment.resourcegroup.co.uk/jobs

For more information about the apprenticeship courses we offer, visit: https://training.resourcegroup.co.uk/apprenticeships-2-apprenticeship/

The advantage of training with LRTT is our ability to offer training from various UK locations including Gatwick, Luton, Heathrow and Stansted airports.

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