Aircraft technician Review

My daily job consists of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, I will carry out maintenance on the Eurofighter Typhoon, which will involve replacing LRI's and fixing any snags that have been raised on the aircraft before service or what is found during service, I also perform software loads and functionals.

yes, I have learnt how different systems integrate with each other and how to time keep and work alongside experienced teams, asking relevant questions. I have also learnt the value of integrity.

I thoroughly enjoy the team I work with, and being able to work on aircraft. it has always been a dream of mine to work on aircraft and to be doing it on fast jet is more than I could ever imagine.

To be honest, due to the lack of communication between HR, managers and myself I do not feel very valued, as we are apprentices we are not on permanent contracts and no-one is giving us any indication when or if we arent getting contracts. They once said we will be waiting till the defence contract is signed, and then when the contract was delayed they would not answer whether it means we will remain waiting for the contract or if we will get our permanent contracts before. No one is giving us any answers and we just sit on our intermediate salary till our contracts are signed. A communication example was when nightshift was started, we were told that due to us being contracted to the AMA and not base we were not doing nightshift, but a few weeks in when base moaned at us for not doing nightshift, Base told us they had the go ahead for us to work nights weeks back but we were not informed even though we enquired. Those were two big issues, and then just as a whole it feels like we are just people working for the company who don't care, it is in a way they constantly remind us we are the little man.

The program had a few hiccups during our phase, but as the cohorts have progressed they have improved and there is a lot more structure and organisation within the courses, generally improving on aspects we had an issue with

Our theory training and workshop training was carried out through a company called Resource Group, and that side of the training was surperb, if any remedial work was offered and the tutors/instructors were really good and knowledgable. When we did our on aircraft training at Humberside the training was very poor and we were very underqualified to get on to base. Base training has been great, the teams are very happy to help out giving all the help and knowledge you ask for. I must state that the on aircraft training tutors no longer work for the company, and the next cohorts have seen an improvements in the Humberside on aircraft training

The training support who is meant to be taking me through my apprenticeship have not provided me with the support that i felt neccessary, often in a position where I don't know what my next step within the company is.

At first it was excellent due to the free accomodation that was provided, but even though it is one of the best salaries for apprenticeships for relocation costs and cost of living has forced us to have no choice but to live month to month.

Yes, we have opportunities to work abroad but when we ask for more information the HR tell us we need to speak to different HR's and we do not get responses or are told to do courses before we can get abroad and we can not get on these courses due to lack of opportunities. The opportunities I have enquired for either lead to no answers or no reply. not allowing me to better myself and follow chosen career path

No

Due to the above-mentioned problems, I feel that a company of BAE System's size and worldwide presence we should be able to do more and pursue an international career, as they have urged us to do throughout the apprenticeship. The licences that we obtain are not recognised outside of the company, therefor making myself feel trapped and lacking scope if I were ever to further my career outside the company.

Think carefully, access your options and try get information from someone who is already in the field you are applying for, and look at different options (different aerospace/defence companies) as they might be better in the long run, qualifications and you may feel more valued as an employee.