Aircraft Fitter Apprentice Review

I am working on top skin bolting where I am required to clean surfaces, measure bolts and then drive them in with a rivet gun as they are interference fit. I then work around the other side through the manholes where I clean off the excess sealant and put nuts on, then tighten with a nut runner.

I had very few hand skills before the apprenticeship and I now feel confident with any type of tool in my hand, weather it be tools within Airbus or even outside. The way that the tools are used are all interchangeable inside and outside of Airbus. Since being in the factory they have exponentially increased

I enjoy working with the people on my section. They are really helpful, always willing to lend a hand or two and are always up for a laugh. I felt part of the team since minute one. This was important as I feel valued, it makes me want to perform better for the team.

It has been very poorly organised since the start of the apprenticeship in terms of communication. We have been communicated some important information late in the evening after many people have gone to sleep and then wake up an essential message with not a lot of time to rectify it. However, the qualifications and methods are very organised and professional

I recieve a lot of help from my employer. I have been provided with personal protective equipment before I was even in the factory. We had a welding course and they supported us with full kits. I have also been provided with a toolbox inside and outside the factory that helps from day to day.

The support is endless. The assessors made sure to spend as much time as necessary explaining anything that an individual was unsure of to enable them the best chance of qualifying. The college tutors were great, and the managers and fitters from work were really helpful showing how to extract the relevant information

In my personal opinion, nothing we learnt in college was useful in the factory. Especially the hands on tasks in college, majorly consisting of filing and I've never seen a file in the whole of the airbus factory. The majority of the subjects were also pointless. But it really helped me to become organised so I'm greatful for the overall experience.

Yes there are loads of events and social activities set up so that we can interact with people from the other departments. I attended a language class in Airbus which really benefited me. However since covid there hasn't been any mixing or activities going on and that's for the best

Yes

Once you have completed the apprenticeship and you start getting familiar with the job, it is a really easy and fun way to make money. It's a very nice company where everyone helps eachother when they need it and everyone is always up for a laugh which makes it a positive workplace

Don't expect the apprenticeship to be easy. You will need to spend a lot of time making sure that you keep ontop of the college work and stay ahead. I made the mistake of thinking it was going to be easy and then had a number of assignments to complete in a short time