Closing date for applications : Friday 21st February

Our Production Apprenticeship Scheme is a 4-year program.  Currently on our Filton and Western Approach sites we offer 4 separate occupational areas of Production Apprenticeships. Descriptions of target occupations listed below:-

Aircraft Fitter - Aircraft Fitters put together the components and sub-assemblies that go into the aircraft at our customers’ final assembly lines. Aircraft fitters work to manufacturing and engineering instructions and drawings and will use skills including:

• Drilling, reaming and countersinking
• Riveting and bolting
• Use of automated drilling equipment
• Functional testing of mechanical systems

Please note there are many different areas of work, however you need to be comfortable with working at height or in confined spaces when required.

Composite Operator / Fitter - GKN Aerospace is a leader in composite technology and innovation. Composite Operator/Fitters use a combination of automated and manual processes resulting in skills/knowledge including:

• Manufacture and assemble aircraft components from composite materials, including sub-assembly and CNC automated activities.
• Operation of CNC controlled auto-fibre placement machines
• Use of automated cutting and drilling equipment
• Composite lay-up techniques
• Understanding of processes, procedures & engineering drawings

Machinist - Our Integrated Machining Facility manufactures small and large structural components.  Materials used are predominantly Aluminum with smaller amounts of Titanium and Steel.  We also machine Composite Materials. Skills/knowledge include:

• Operation of 3, 4 & 5 axis CNC Milling machine tools
• Operation of Co-ordinate Measuring machines (CMM), as well as hand-held conventional and digital measuring equipment
• Understanding of processes, procedures & Engineering drawings

Fabricator - Fabricators use their skills in fabrication to produce high quality components and assemblies, including fuel, hydraulic and pneumatic systems for the world’s leading aircraft. Skills/Knowledge include:

• Manual and automated cutting techniques
• Forming and joining techniques
• Fabrication of metallic components
• Operation of CNC forming machines
• Use of precision measuring equipment

Apprentice Programme Structure

Year 1:  The majority of your first year will be working offsite at college. Towards the end of the first year, you will undertake a return to site induction followed by onsite GKN training.

Years 2 & 3:  You will undertake Business Familiarisation rotation placements within your occupational role area. During these years the work that you carry out within placement production areas will be recorded in the form of logbook entries. This logbook is reviewed monthly with your GKN training advisor.

Year 4:  You will be assigned to your final target production department. This is when your practical observation assessments will begin. Once these have been completed alongside the underpinning knowledge questions, you will then have completed your Level 3 competence qualification.  You will also have to complete an End Point Assessment (EPA).

Key Responsibilities

• To observe the company’s terms and conditions of employment.
• In both work and training, to be diligent and punctual and attend courses, keep records and take tests to be determined by the company in order to achieve the training objectives and quality gates
• To behave in a responsible manner and in accordance with the requirements of Health & Safety legislation relating to the individual’s responsibilities.
• To successfully complete all activities documented in the Apprenticeship Training Agreement.

Qualifications:

You must have at least Four GCSE’s

• Maths, English & Science, Grades 9 - 4
• Plus one additional GCSE, Grade 9 – 4

Please note:  If you live outside the EU you will need a UK work permit before you can start an apprenticeship.