Apprentice aircraft engineer Review
at British Airways
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Heathrow Airport (LHR), Longford TW6, UK
Review Submitted: April 2022
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Throughout the apprenticeship you will be put on a variety of placements.
The first year will consist of yourself going to resource group in kemble and completing your A license modules.
Second year you'll be back at Heathrow completing your placement rotations and doing the level 3 nvq work
Third year will be be gaining more experience and placements and this time completing the end point assesment work.
The first year will consist of yourself going to resource group in kemble and completing your A license modules.
Second year you'll be back at Heathrow completing your placement rotations and doing the level 3 nvq work
Third year will be be gaining more experience and placements and this time completing the end point assesment work.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoyed the programme very much. Coming from a degree into and apprentiship was a bit strange at first however I've enjoyed my time. It has allowed me to learn a lot more valuable skills and knowledge that no degree can give you. Would strongly recommend this over university.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt many skills throughout the apprenticeship. The first year you will gain knowledge from all the modules and experience. You will also gain valuable hand skills in the workshop phase. The second and third years you'll be gain experience on a variety of aircraft types and this will allow you to fill in your CAA CAP741.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programe structure is ok. Because of covid our programe was a little all over the place but our managers were excellent and got us through it. Resource group is ok most of the teachers are helpful and want you to pass. Some of the higher up team or apprentiship managers at resource group are ok but I feel the ba managers were w lot better. Just keep your head down and focus on the programme at hand.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
From my managers I received a huge amount of support from them. I could literally walk into their office at any time and ask them a question and they are happy to respond to you. They make you feel good if you've done well and they provide support if you are struggling. Just remember to bring some biscuits for the apprenticeship desk.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The training provider was good at the start then covid happened and it went a bit south. If it weren't for the BA managers stepping in and fighting for us and helping us then we would have struggled with the training provider. Obviously no one could predict covid and that made things difficult but even during the lockdown lessons it was really bad and the way things were done was if I'm honest a shambles. Would be better for BA to maybe find a different training provider. But don't let my experience get you down. During normal operation the training provider may be good.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I definitely feel the qualifications I've gained will help me. Maybe the level 3 and 2 questions and nvq work they make u do is pointless but definitely the A license modules is helpful as that can go towards your license along with your cap 741. Na have helped a lot and given us a lot of training and help in everything. Thanks to them for all the training given.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are lots of different things you can get involved in at work. My advice to anyone is any project that comes your way no matter what it is do it. One it helps you network with other people and who knows who you will meet and two, doing this extra stuff helps towards your end point assesment interview. Don't be affraid to do new things. I've done everything from the launch of a new aircraft, giving tours to even staring in the new ba advert.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend British Airways to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I think BA is a good company to work for. Obviously at every company you'll get people who say they don't like it but then they've been here 40 years. It's a good place to learn aircraft. They have such a variety of types and do all different types of work on them. Everything from casually maintenance to heavy maintenance. You might even be lucky to get an away job in another country like so many Apprentices have done already.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to British Airways?
The main thing I can say is do the modules and pass them first time that will take a lot of stress away. Get your head down and do and complete the work early. I'm telling you now you get ahead and do well if you put the effort in. Don't let others drag you down as at the end of the day it's your apprentiship. It's a basically a three year interview so from day one perform well.
