Commercial Supply Chain Degree Apprentice

Why I applied

I applied to the Airbus Supply Chain Apprenticeship as a way to gain insight into the vast complexity of a global production network in a manageable fashion, as well as staying on the forefront of sustainable technologies. This programme seemed like it would provide an endless supply of learning and challenges to grow from - and it has.

Coming from a family that is spread across the globe, I have always valued the connected world aviation creates, but my knowledge of the aviation industry was limited prior to joining Airbus. If that’s you - don't let it put you off applying! After just a couple of months with my coworkers’ enthusiasm and my direct interactions with such marvels of human ingenuity, I found my passion for aircraft and now couldn't imagine working with anything else.

What I like about the course

From day one I felt valued by my colleagues, with many making conscientious efforts to guide me into the working world and offering opportunities beyond my day-to-day activities. I've had several mentors, all of whom continue to provide guidance and support on making the most of my learning journey. Beyond this, all the teams I have worked with have been friendly and welcoming, from trying exciting international snacks together to casual workplace chatter, they make it a joy to come to work.

I have been able to work in several departments, from purchasing to project management and manufacturing engineering. Seeing all these different angles of the Airbus operation helped me rapidly build my network and helped me find what truly inspired me. Starting the apprenticeship I didn't have firm aspirations, but this breadth of experience not only showed me what I wanted to do with my career, but also where I needed to go to achieve it.

Lastly, I have been granted trust and responsibilities on many important topics. This reflection of the trust and belief in apprentices kept me engaged and made me feel respected. I have worked on important initiatives far beyond what I expected to be offered to apprentices; senior colleagues are very supportive in providing these opportunities to apprentices. I know my work has an impact, the belief placed in me has been really motivating and makes me want to challenge my abilities and continuously grow from my experiences here.

Highlight of this apprenticeship

I have had the opportunity to visit suppliers across the UK and Europe for a range of major aircraft components. Beyond the novelty of experiencing new places and cultures, seeing the production supply chain in action is such a valuable opportunity, you gain vital insights and intuition that will be invaluable for my long-term career.

Highlight of Airbus

One of my highlights of Airbus is our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where volunteers create opportunities to celebrate and educate on diverse identities. Beyond fostering a sense of community, this makes me feel confident and comfortable bringing my whole self to work, which has been vitally important in the formative years of entering independent adulthood.

Benefit to personal growth

Being challenged yet supported has helped my skills flourish, talents I had never even considered have become my passions. Looking back I am extremely proud of what I have achieved; this would not have been possible without the support of my awesome colleagues and the huge investment Airbus makes into supporting apprentices development.

Whether you are looking to get into the aerospace industry specifically, or are just seeking a challenge, a Supply Chain Apprenticeship at Airbus is a great launching point for your career.