Structures apprentice Review

My role involves the production of wings for Airbus. Day to day I will be in and around the structures side of operations drilling, bolting and ensuring my work is done to the correct standards to ensure the aircraft are safe to fly on. Operation of cranes and other machinery is involved when training has been done.

I have developed my communication skills since starting the apprenticeship, the need for this is huge since you can be working on another side of a wing panel than a colleague and you need to locate a blind hole. To do this effective communication is required to ensure it’s done right.

I really enjoy the program, it has allowed me to see a side of aviation I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. The opportunity for growth from my current hole is also huge and we are encouraged to go for that as well. I would rate it 10/10

The organization of the program is okay. I feel communication to apprentices could be a little more transparent but I also understand the reasons why it may be difficult to do that. Overall I feel the structure is good even throughout a global pandemic I don’t feel any more disadvantaged.

I receive a lot of support from both my employer and also my managers and peers. I feel as though if I had an issue I could go to my manager and find a solution to that problem, which is what anyone would like to feel they can do within a business.

Throughout the apprenticeship we are given regular quality gate updates and told when we need to do to meet them. I feel personally it would be good if we actually had access to these trackers for each individual to see where we are up to and what needs to be done

I feel it gives us the basic skills and knowledge to go into the workplace. It is very difficult to replicate a factory environment in a college but it would be nice if they were more closely linked. I feel since going in to the factory that there are some major differences we could have been taught.

I don’t know of many extra curricular activities myself. I know of a brand new gym that has opened on site with employee discounts and I know Airbus have a football team which can be joined to play on weekdays as well as on the weekend which is nice

Yes

I feel as though it’s a friendly professional environment with plenty of opportunity for growth within. The apprenticeship program is perfect, especially in the 2nd and 3rd year for getting us ready to head into the factory and do this job dsy in day out professionally and also safely

Tips and advice I would give to anybody who may be thinking of applying for an apprenticeship at Airbus include, be prepared for a lot of work- it isn’t easy but it’s worth it. If you’re into aviation in general then it’s perfect as you’re working in that environment day in day out