Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Review
at British Airways
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Heathrow Airport (LHR), Longford TW6, UK
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
3.6 /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!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Once modules and course are complete day to day work involves working on aircraft. Carrying out servicing tasks, rectifying defects and troubleshooting. This involves; troubleshooting, finding the correct maintenance manuals, carrying out maintenance the tasks and then carrying out functional tests. Other then that personal admin and other tasks are carried out at work.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I have enjoyed the program a fair bit. Due to the affects of the corona virus certain aspects of the apprenticeship were not that enjoyable.l and several problems cropped up, but that was to be expected with covid. However, overall I would say that the apprenticeship program was pretty enjoyable to complete.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes. I have learnt new hand skills during the apprenticeship and I have improved my existing skills during my time on the apprenticeship. As have specific IT skills such as finding manuals and using SAP. Theory skills improved as well through carrying out courses during my time on the apprenticeship.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The apprenticeship was not amazingly well organised from my personal experience (But bare in mind there was lots of circumstances of why this was the case, and I doubt this would be the case in a post Covid world). However this said, it was well enough organised to see every apprentice on my intake complete the apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Support was pretty good through out the program. If I needed any support all I had to do was send a email or phone a manager up. Throughout covid whilst furloughed I had a weekly welfare/progress call where support was given to all of the apprentices on my apprenticeship program.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Same as the previous answer. Support was an email or phone call away. Weekly welfare/progress calls ensured we were given support. Training provider NVQ assessors helped and supported us with all of the NVQ knowledge questions as well as the NVQ job cards. Support also included 12 week reviews.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
It helped a little bit but not massively. The NVQ gained through the training provider doesn’t really help in the industry that much, and it didn’t teach me much that was relevant. The actual CAA/EASA licenses are much more valuable, and teach skills more relevant to actually working in the aviation maintenance industry.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
I am sure that there is some extra curricular activities, however that said I have not taken part in any of these. I also have no idea of what they are as I am not really the sort of person who particularly enjoys carrying out extra curricular activities that much.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend British Airways to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The Apprenticeship program delivers the civil aviation authority (CAA) A licence courses through an approved part 147, allowing you to gain the A license in 1 year rather then 3. British airways also had a large range of aircraft types and different maintenance environments meaning there is potential for very good experience.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to British Airways?
Can’t really say as I never applied for the Apprenticeship, I started my apprenticeship with a different company got made redundant and British Airways took me on. However from speaking to other people I would say to be as keen as possible and show a genuine interest in the work.
