Aircraft Mechanic Trainee Review

My role includes supporting the Aircraft Maintenance of the RAF Typhoon at RAF Coningsby. On a day to day basis many maintenance tasks are carried out and all of these must be recorded in order to ensure that any trends can be analysed and that the company are always prepared with spares. This data then must be reviewed and issues resolved in order to ensure that the maintenance schedule is adhered to.

I have learnt new skills and developed my existing skills. The new skills that I have learnt is mainly relating to the aircraft maintenance environment. I have learnt how to use tools and skills specific to aircraft such as using Hydraulic rigs and the safety required when using these. Furthermore I have learnt how to analyse aircraft maintenance data to manipulate the data to see certain results, such as the cause of a failure and how often this failure occurs. I have also developed my team skills as the aircraft maintenance environment requires constant team work as many members of each team is a expert in a different field and can use this to help others.

The extent to which I enjoy my programme can be varied. Due to the organisation and structure sometimes as an apprentice it is very difficult to be able to attain any advice or help needed that is always needed when one is training. I enjoyed the challenge of the examinations during the first year of my apprenticeship and whilst I felt a sense of achievement when I completed these exams, management only seemed to care if you failed so that they could address the failure rather than congratulating you on passing. This doesn't seem a responsible way to encourage young apprentices.

The programme is not well organised and a structure is very rarely stuck to. On many occasions plans were changed at last minute, instructors for modules were not available, and this lead to a lot of time waiting around. For example on one occasion we was meant to have a revision session with an instructor and this instructor was to be with a different group, leaving us alone before our biggest exam. Furthermore now I am in my placement year we are suppose to have 6 week reviews and phone calls every 3 weeks; both of these have happened on one occasion rather than multiple. Additionally the programme leaders do not seem to plan in advance. For example our move to our placement year was repeatedly delayed due to the unavailability of an induction, but prior planning would of made sure this was not an issue. Overall there needs to be a review of the structure, despite many apprentices raising this issue repeatedly.

To say that the programme is educational, apprentices do not receive what I would say is the required amount of support from their employer. It seems as though the management of the programme are not experienced in supporting young adults and therefore do not understand the requirements, especially when the training itself is intense and then sometimes stressful, the level of support needs to be much higher. However many members of staff are happy to support individuals when they need it, but the actual official system isn't in place to ensure that all apprentices are feeling supported. For example prior to the final 2 exams that were to be taken all group members received an informal case note notifying them that if these exams were to be failed action would be taken, these were also issued to students who had passed most if not all exams. This was unnecessary and imposed undue stress upon many apprentices.

My apprenticeship consists of both module exams and an NVQ. The exams are a requirement of the EASA Category A aircraft maintenance licence and the NVQ is for Aircraft Maintenance Support. Due to time restraints there is a lack of support towards the exams. This is due to the nature of the course as it has to be completed within a time frame and therefore this cannot be controlled. But time could be better managed to ensure that all apprentices are prepared. In regards to the NVQ, as this process is relatively new for this apprenticeship there is clear improvements that need to be made, but these are addressed and listened to. Meetings to discuss the NVQ are often missed, rescheduled or a lack of communication means it doesn't happen. The communication needs to be improved as the NVQ cannot be completed with the support of the assessors; and going weeks without a response does not help the NVQ be completed.

The module exams are suited to the job role and certainly helps individuals to perform better in their job role. These modules consist of subjects such as Aircraft Maintenance legislation and Aircraft Systems. Both of these are vital to ensure that you are prepared for the job role. However the way in which the modules are taught due to the time constraints again is to ensure that individuals pass an exam, it does not ensure that they gain the knowledge that they need.

There are extra-curricular activities available for individuals if they wish. However many professional networking events are invite only and therefore not everybody gets the opportunity to participate. There are opportunities to attend events such as talks with aeronautical professionals which everybody does get the chance to attend. Additionally if placed on an RAF base BAE employees are able to join in with sports teams that are ran by the RAF if they wish.

No

Despite the opportunities presented by entering the aviation industry I would not recommend that people start their aviation career within BAE Systems. The poor management system deflates many and causes them to lose their excitement and inspiration for their future within BAE Systems. There are many companies that run similar schemes with better prospects for an apprentices future.

I would advice people to ensure that they have researched the apprenticeship and the qualifications that they gain. They must review these qualifications and see if they are exactly what they would like, as no actual aircraft maintenance licence is gained which limits their opportunity to work for civil airline companies rather than just military. Those who would like to apply for BAE Systems must ensure that they have an excellent work ethic, as the demands of the examinations require much work outside of work hours.