Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

I am a Landing Gear apprentice. So at the end of my scheme I will be working in Landing Gear. My role currently is to learn as much as I can from the business by doing placements in different areas around the company. Through this I am learning new things about different departments on a day to day basis. These departments include fuel, structures and flight physics. Along with Landing Gear and many more smaller departments I can choose to get involved in if I wish. These placements last for 3-6 months depending on how much I am enjoying it.

I have been able to develop my leadership and project management skills throughout the placements I have done. A new skill I have learnt is effective communication in the workplace, but also having the confidence to communicate with others that you may have not interacted with before to get the job done.

Currently, I am enjoying the program because it is helping gain skills which are desirable for my future career. My placement managers have given me work which has encouraged my development and my personal growth across the program. I have also been given a mentor from the department I hope to go into after my scheme. This has really helped.

The program at Airbus is structured and is made clear at the beginning. This helps us navigate throughout our scheme easily. However, the learning experience with the college (not our main provider) has not been so great. This is because they have not been as organized as they could have.

As said in a previous question my employer has provided me with a mentor where I can ask questions about my future career. I also have two more managers who are there to support my personal development and growth across the program. My employer has provided me with good people to help me through the program.

Unfortunately, this is an area that could be improved. Our training provider does not offer the best support when it comes to the degree. This is partially because our times can sometimes conflict with theirs as we work and study at the same time, but a little more support before exams would be great.

The Aerospace Engineering Degree I am doing is interesting and is helping me learn a lot about aircraft and the design of aircraft. However, there has not been much content that relates to the work I am doing at Airbus. I am in my second year of university so this may change in the next two years, but for now, there is not much application of the things I am learning.

Yes, the apprentices have a football team which is fun to take part in outside of work. There are also a few professional networking events throughout the year in landing gear. Also, teams go for lunch together outside of work to interact with each other and get to know each other better.

Yes

Airbus offers a range of opportunities and as an apprentice you still get all the full salary benefits as a full employee would, such as bonuses. Not only this, Airbus sets you up for a prosperous career, as through the apprenticeship they give opportunities to you to develop your skills to fill the gaps in areas the business needs. There are is always room for growth and a good job is guaranteed at the end of the scheme, working for a top company in a growing industry with no university debt.

It is important to be competent in areas which show personal development. Such as communication, leadership, resilience and problem solving. These are areas which Airbus value from individuals coming into the business. Also, it is important to have transferable skills which can be used in all different areas. Most importantly, Airbus are looking for someone who actually wants to work for Airbus, technical knowledge is good, but a desire to work for them with proof is what they want. This can be shown through researching the industry and company and understanding what their aims are.