Apprentice - Aircraft maintainer and fitter Review

For the first year of my apprenticeship , I was at Humberside airport at the aircraft maintenance facility. Here I was training for CAT A EASA approved exams, learning about aircraft, including units such as Flight controls, Maths, Aerodynamics and Maintenance practices. There were also practice units which included going into both mech and AV workshops practicing wiring skills and metalwork as well as actual work on real Hawk and Dominie aircraft. There is also an opportunity to do the Forward course which includes carrying out servicing's on the Dominies and marshalling them around a live airfield. For the second year on my NVQ I spent my time at RAF Coningsby carrying out various jobs on Typhoon aircraft. I spend my time doing both mech and AV jobs to complete all the requirements to become a competent engineer.

Skills learnt: Hand skills including, sawing, riveting and filing. How to read, apply, carry out and sign up for jobs on aircraft. Knowledge on all aircraft systems that can be applied to the real world. Responsibility and importance of work being carried out safely and accounting for all tools and consumables.

The course has been good, although it has been chaotic and unorganised at times, the course has been fun and interesting, learning about new and advanced aircraft systems and how they work with other systems and then applying these to the real world at RAF Coningsby. All the instructors are good and enthusiastic about their subjects and have good subject knowledge.

The first year of the programme was good with a structured and pre-set plan for all exams and remedial work required. Although for the second year on base, it was a bit more unorganised with not much information on where to go or what to do or expect when arriving on base. Not much information was given on how to complete the practical part of the NVQ nor was the syllabus explained or the requirements needed until the last upcoming weeks of the NVQ needing to be finished.

Support for all areas was good throughout the whole course. Even though the year on base was confused and a little busy, the NVQ instructors were always happy to sit down and help/sort out any problems, even out of their working hours. During the first year at AMA there was really good HR teams and welfare supporters who were always committed to helping.

The support given was very useful. There were training staff available throughout the whole working day and would be happy to help for any amount of time and were willing to stay late to help out. They all had a positive attitude and showed interest towards us completing our NVQ.

The qualification helps train you towards working on aircraft. The theory that we were taught was mostly aimed at civilian aircraft so lots of information wasn't useful, however the more generic units like aerodynamics and flight controls were more useful in the real world. The practical side was also good as it pointed you to do certain jobs so you can get a wide range of experience on the entire aircraft.

There are no regular extra-curricular, although there are some less frequent charitable activities such as a group walk from Humberside airport to the Humber bridge. Many of the apprentices also get together regularly for activities outside of work such as rock climbing, go karting and going out at the weekend.

Yes

BAE Systems is a good opportunity for a lifelong career. I applied straight out of College and after 2 years of studying, I am now a fully contracted and employed member with investments in the company and a competitive salary. The company also has many nice people who are friendly and easy to get along with.

Just do it. Its as easy as answering a few questions online then going for an interview. Make yourself sound positive and enthusiastic and try to show an interest in the subject. Many aspects of the interview are actually practical and are looking for people with good hand skills and team working abilities.