Apprentice Aircraft Mechanic Review

As an apprentice mechanic, we work along side qualified engineers performing routine and unplanned maintenance tasks on private aircraft. We have a 6 month training period at the beginning of the apprenticeship which then changes over to having classroom based learning once a week, and hands on, practical work for the remainder of the shift.

Since joining, I have developed my hand skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving and also critical thinking skills.

I thoroughly enjoy working as an apprentice at Bombardier London, there is a good balance between theory and practical that keeps every day busy. The longer you spend on the shop floor, the better reputation you build which results in being given better jobs.

The programme is structured so that individuals get all the time they need in order to pass the apprenticeship. There is a dedicated 6 month training period at the start of the apprenticeship, and then one dedicated day every week to go into college to continue the classroom based work. Apprentices may also experience rotations so that they can get a feel for each department and understand how the facility runs.

I receive as much support as I require. The support is always there and they will never overwhelm you with it. We have a dedicated point of contact for our apprenticeship and they do their all to ensure that us as apprentices are on track to completing our course comfortably and that we are on track to becoming qualified mechanics.

Our training provider ensures we have the resources available to not only pass the exams, but to ensure we retain that information after the exams too. Outside of our weekly visits to the training provider, we also have access to their teams network which allows us to connect with tutors should we ever need any additional support.

Thanks to our training provider, we have been able to hit the ground running upon returning to the hangar. While our skills are not perfect and still behind the average mechanic, it is a more than good enough baseline for us to begin work and begin building upon those foundations.

There are many things to do with the people you will be on shift with during the off-shift period. Some do golf, football or even fantasy league teams. In terms of professional networking events, Bombardier has attended a variety of events and also hosted some of their own, all of which are open to apprentices who would like to be involved with those kind of things. I know this as I have attended several events.

Yes

The career path and ability to pursue many different job roles after the apprenticeship make this a very valuable opportunity. Engineers within aviation are in demand and this would be the perfect time to get into a life-long career. Earning while you learn is also a huge bonus.

Try to gain some experience in a hands on role, especially within an aviation or engineering environment. This proves to us as the employer that not only are you keen to be in the industry, but also it shows that you have the initiative to learn about how a company like us works.