Craft Plant Level 3 Apprenticeship - Aerostructures

Craft Plant Level 3 Apprenticeship - Aerostructures

Start date: September 2026

Location: Belfast

Duration: 36 months

Application closing date: 28th February 2026 - Please note we may close adverts earlier if we receive a high level of interest for this role so we would strongly encourage you to apply early to avoid missing out on this opportunity!

*Please be aware that if you apply between 18th December 2025 - 5th January 2026, there will be a slight delay in receiving your invitation to complete the next stage of your application (our online assessment) due to our Company Christmas Shutdown period.*

Salary: A competitive starting salary of £15,975.44

36 hours per week // Pension // Success share // Plus many more flexible benefits!

About us:

Ready to build the wings that lift the world? Join Airbus as a Craft Engineering Apprentice at our site in Belfast and play a vital role in manufacturing wings for our A220 aircraft. This 36-month programme offers valuable hands-on training, recognised qualifications, and a clear path to a rewarding career in aviation.

At Airbus, we believe a diverse workforce drives innovation. We're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive. Airbus is a global pioneer in the aerospace industry, leading the way in designing, manufacturing, and delivering aerospace products across Commercial Aircraft, Helicopters, Defence, and Space sectors.

As the global centre of excellence for A220 wing manufacturing, our Belfast site delivers over 70 wing sets each year. Our apprenticeship programme is carefully designed to give you valuable practical training alongside your academic studies, setting you up for success and helping your career truly fly.

With over 157,000 employees worldwide and as the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, Airbus is at the forefront of the aviation industry. During your apprenticeship you will work alongside our experienced engineers and quality team to support you to complete the work safely and efficiently

What you will be doing:

As a Craft Apprentice you’ll immerse yourself for the first 12 months of the programme learning the foundational skills required for building aircraft. While completing your academic studies the course will also cover an element of mechanical fitting activities.

This programme is designed to equip you with valuable qualifications and competencies to work directly on aircraft components.

This 36-month apprenticeship is structured to maximise your learning and impact:

Year One: You will spend the first 12 months of your apprenticeship based at Belfast Met working towards obtaining:

• NVQ Level 2 diploma in Performing Engineering Operations;
• Level 2 Academic Qualification
• Level 2 Essential Skills;

This will allow you to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to enable you to make an immediate contribution when you enter the workforce in the second year.

Year 2 and 3: Your Learning Takes Flight at Belfast! Building on your foundational knowledge, you'll join our world-class team at the Airbus Belfast site. Here, you'll apply your skills directly to live aircraft projects. Your varied tasks will require a range of technical skills. This will include:

• Preparation & Setup: This involves meticulously cleaning, sanding, and masking surfaces to ensure proper adhesion and a flawless finish. It also includes accurately mixing paints and preparing spray equipment according to specifications.
• Application & Quality: Skillfully applying multiple, even coats of paint using precise techniques, while monitoring environmental conditions. A crucial part of the role is inspecting the finish for quality, making adjustments, and performing touch-ups, all while strictly adhering to safety protocols and equipment maintenance.
• Fitting Activities - This would include a placement in our single aisle and wide body business areas to perform fitting activities in our wingbox production areas, these activities will include drilling and installing fasteners.

You'll continue your academic studies on day release, working towards:

• Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering)
• Level 3 Academic Certificate

Upon successful completion of your 36-month apprenticeship, you'll become a Skilled Fitter, specialising in the assembly of both metallic and composite components to produce the wing box structure on our world-class A220 aircraft. You'll receive a Modern Apprenticeship Certificate, setting you up for a fantastic career.

Requirements

In order to be eligible to this apprenticeship you must achieve a minimum of Four GCSE passes in the following subjects:

• Mathematics: minimum Grade C
• English Language: minimum Grade C
• Science or a Technology based subject minimum Grade C
• Any other subject minimum Grade

​Preference may be given to candidates with a minimum Grade B or C* in Math.

Essential Skills, Key Skills or City & Guilds, at the appropriate level, will also be considered as acceptable equivalents.

Applicants should be aware that the selection of successful candidates will be made in accordance with the eligibility criteria for the funding of the Apprenticeships NI 2021 program, as set out by the Department for the Economy.

BOOST YOUR APPLICATION

We want to get to know you—not just your grades or school background so, tell us on your cover letter:

Why Airbus?

• What is it about Airbus that makes you excited to start a career with us? Is it our aircraft, innovation, global impact, or something else? Let us know what interests you about our work and why we stand out to you.

Why a hands-on apprenticeship?

• Why do you want to learn by doing? We’d love to hear what draws you to practical, skills-based learning.

Show your hands-on experience.

• In your CV or cover letter, include any hands-on activities or hobbies where you've used practical skills. These could be things like:
  • DIY projects
  • Building and fixing things
  • Doing make-up or beauty work
  • Tinkering and Tech Projects
  • Building models
  • Baking or cooking
  • Others

Important Information:

GRADES: Please note: Any offer will be conditional upon us receiving evidence of your required grades in addition to completing all pre-employment checks and online forms.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK: Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom for the full duration of the programme. For more information, please check the Government Website.

Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.

AI Guidance: We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus.

Contact:

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact via email apprentices@airbus.com​. ​​Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We employ people from all sections of the community and are committed to the appointment of the best candidate based upon the merit principle alone. In pursuit of our equal opportunities programme, we would particularly welcome more applications from Catholics and females, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.