Aircraft maintenance apprentice Review

During the first year you study for your EASA Cat A licence, develop hand skills creating structural components in the workshop for an nvq, and do practical tasks on aircraft and engines in a training environment. During the second and third years you are in base or line maintenance environment working on live aircraft supporting the operation.

I have learned how to create structural components using metal working techniques. I have also developed my knowledge of aircraft maintenance ranging from fundamental skills like physics to things like aircraft systems and aerodynamics. This apprenticeship has given me the chance to have an in depth knowledge of this subject.

I do enjoy this programme a lot. It has allowed me to learn skills I didn’t have before hand and has allowed me to have experiences that are new to me almost daily. It has also given me a passion and appreciation for aircraft engineering and aviation as a whole.

Organisation is good, considering the circumstances of the pandemic. Our education was prioritised and choices have been made in order to make sure our progress is good and on track. We have a plan for the apprenticeship that has to be completed in order to successfully qualify at the end of it.

Management is organised and supportive of apprentices in engineering. Communication is good in order to monitor our progress and offer guidance on completing work. Engineers are helpful and encouraging when it comes to getting stuck in. Instructors at our training provider are knowledgable and well experienced at teaching what needs to be taught.

The training provider has been good so far. Support and education for out aircraft maintenance licence and hand skills development has been outstanding, but the management at the provider sometimes needed to communicate more with ourselves the apprentices, the instructors and our employers. Our assessors are always on hand to help with anything that we need to complete.

In the future, I hope to certify aircraft as airworthy to fly. Without my licence, I will not have the knowledge or rights to do so, therefore the qualifications I am working towards is allowing me to do this. Practical skills were also developed at the training provider, without these maintenance tasks may be done incorrectly, so it’s important it’s done correctly.

There has been an opportunity to play 5 - aside football as a team among apprentices which was good. There are events were we can network with people across the business and others where we can network in the industry. We are encouraged to step outside our comfort zone and take new opportunities as they come.

Yes

It’s a company who are willing to invest in education and future talent. There are ample opportunity’s to try new experiences and change in environment. Everyday is different which is unlike many others jobs. There is certainly something you will find you enjoy which is a good thing about this company.

Be willing to learn and be up for new experiences. I feel you certainly get out what you put in so be willing to go the extra mile. Every day has the potential to be different so be ready for change to what you are doing or the environment in which you work.