Aircraft Maintenance Technician Apprentice Review
at Boeing UK
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Middle Wallop
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.5 /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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
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
I am an aircraft maintenance technician apprentice
My apprenticeship spans over 3 years, with the first year learning in a controlled classroom environment and then years 2 and 3 moving onto an active maintenance facility where we have on the job training.
I am in year 2 of the appreticeship, which means I am currently working at an active aircraft maintenance facility.
At this maintenance facility I can get involved in a wide range of tasks such as the maintenance and modification of the aircraft we have here, which is the CH-47 Chinook.
My day to day job looks like this:
Arriving at 6.55am for a prompt 7am start. The day starts with a team meeting with everyone that will work on that aircraft for that day. Following the meeting we then conduct the specific jobs we have to complete throughout the day. As an apprentice the jobs I work on can massively vary from removal and install of components, visual inspections of areas, functional testing and more!
My current working hours at this specific maintenance facility are:
Monday - Thursday = 7:00 - 15:30
Friday = 07:00 - 12:30
My apprenticeship spans over 3 years, with the first year learning in a controlled classroom environment and then years 2 and 3 moving onto an active maintenance facility where we have on the job training.
I am in year 2 of the appreticeship, which means I am currently working at an active aircraft maintenance facility.
At this maintenance facility I can get involved in a wide range of tasks such as the maintenance and modification of the aircraft we have here, which is the CH-47 Chinook.
My day to day job looks like this:
Arriving at 6.55am for a prompt 7am start. The day starts with a team meeting with everyone that will work on that aircraft for that day. Following the meeting we then conduct the specific jobs we have to complete throughout the day. As an apprentice the jobs I work on can massively vary from removal and install of components, visual inspections of areas, functional testing and more!
My current working hours at this specific maintenance facility are:
Monday - Thursday = 7:00 - 15:30
Friday = 07:00 - 12:30
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Overall my program has been incredibly enjoyable and without a doubt the best decision I made regarding my career.
Before I started the apprenticeship I finished a levels and was debating between University and an apprenticeship. The advantages of an apprenticeship are you are paid to learn! and it provides a great way to get incredibly valuable experience on aircraft. If you are looking at working in the aircraft industry an apprenticeship is definitely the way to go!
The best thing about my appreticeship has been the opportunities. Boeing provide some incredible opportunities that arent matched by any other apprenticeships out there.
The first year of the apprenticeship involves a great learning experience with free accomodation provided where you bond closely with fellow apprentices. The first year is defintely challenging with the amount of learning required, however I found it an enjoyable experience as all apprentices came together and helped eachother.
The second year has an absolute blast, getting to work on the CH-47 Chinook, along side knowledgable technicians and getting to experience a wide range of jobs from maintenance, servicing and flight testing of the Chinook.
Before I started the apprenticeship I finished a levels and was debating between University and an apprenticeship. The advantages of an apprenticeship are you are paid to learn! and it provides a great way to get incredibly valuable experience on aircraft. If you are looking at working in the aircraft industry an apprenticeship is definitely the way to go!
The best thing about my appreticeship has been the opportunities. Boeing provide some incredible opportunities that arent matched by any other apprenticeships out there.
The first year of the apprenticeship involves a great learning experience with free accomodation provided where you bond closely with fellow apprentices. The first year is defintely challenging with the amount of learning required, however I found it an enjoyable experience as all apprentices came together and helped eachother.
The second year has an absolute blast, getting to work on the CH-47 Chinook, along side knowledgable technicians and getting to experience a wide range of jobs from maintenance, servicing and flight testing of the Chinook.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Over the coure of my apprenticeship I have learnt an incredible variety of skills.
My apprenticeship spans 3 years. The first year is based in a safe learning environment where you split time between classroom to gain theory knowledge, and a hangar where you develop crucial hand skills. This environment proved to be a great learning environment as they teach you from the very basics, meaning no prior knowledge was needed.
In this environment I have learnt alot of theory knowledge on topics such as:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Electrical Fundamentals
- Electronic Instrument systems
- Materials and Hardware
- Maintenance Practices
- Basic Aerodynamics
- Human Factors
- Aviation Legislation
- Aerodynamics, Strucutures and Systems
- Gas turbine engines
- Propellers
Some of the practical skills I developed at the college were:
- General tool use and techniques
- Rivetting
- Wire locking
- Removal and install of securing devices such as bolts
- Accurate marking out in accordance with engineering drawings
During the second and third year of the apprenticeship I have and continue to learn an incredible amount of knowledge and further hand skills all whilst under the supervisor and guidance of the techncians based at this facility. This knowledge was more specific to the aircraft I work on, which is the CH-47 Chinook, however it is all easily transferable to other aircraft.
My apprenticeship spans 3 years. The first year is based in a safe learning environment where you split time between classroom to gain theory knowledge, and a hangar where you develop crucial hand skills. This environment proved to be a great learning environment as they teach you from the very basics, meaning no prior knowledge was needed.
In this environment I have learnt alot of theory knowledge on topics such as:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Electrical Fundamentals
- Electronic Instrument systems
- Materials and Hardware
- Maintenance Practices
- Basic Aerodynamics
- Human Factors
- Aviation Legislation
- Aerodynamics, Strucutures and Systems
- Gas turbine engines
- Propellers
Some of the practical skills I developed at the college were:
- General tool use and techniques
- Rivetting
- Wire locking
- Removal and install of securing devices such as bolts
- Accurate marking out in accordance with engineering drawings
During the second and third year of the apprenticeship I have and continue to learn an incredible amount of knowledge and further hand skills all whilst under the supervisor and guidance of the techncians based at this facility. This knowledge was more specific to the aircraft I work on, which is the CH-47 Chinook, however it is all easily transferable to other aircraft.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
My apprenticeship is fairly well structure with the apprentice consisting of a 3 year program.
The first year is at Cardiff where you will learn under the ICAT facility ran by Cardiff and Vale College. The first year is very well structured, with free accomodation provided!
The second and third years are slightly less structured, with more emphasis on us apprentices to seek out the work we need to complete our NVQ.
The first year is at Cardiff where you will learn under the ICAT facility ran by Cardiff and Vale College. The first year is very well structured, with free accomodation provided!
The second and third years are slightly less structured, with more emphasis on us apprentices to seek out the work we need to complete our NVQ.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
My employer has been fairly good at supporting me throughout my apprenticeship.
During my apprenticeship I struggled with a few personal issues that my employer perfectly supported me through.
During my second and third year of apprenticeship, you have to complete a level 3 NVQ which consists of a checklist of jobs that you must complete. My employer is incredibly helpful at ensuring this list is completed on time, ensuring I am added to jobs that I need to complete or jobs I would like to join onto.
During my apprenticeship I struggled with a few personal issues that my employer perfectly supported me through.
During my second and third year of apprenticeship, you have to complete a level 3 NVQ which consists of a checklist of jobs that you must complete. My employer is incredibly helpful at ensuring this list is completed on time, ensuring I am added to jobs that I need to complete or jobs I would like to join onto.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider gives a great level of support working towards my qualification.
During the first year at the classroom environment, you get a tremendous amount of support to ensure everyone leaves the first year with all their exams passed.
During the second and third year the training provide is incredibly helpful at guiding us apprentices through our level 3 NVQ, with regularly montly meetings to ensure we remain on track.
During the first year at the classroom environment, you get a tremendous amount of support to ensure everyone leaves the first year with all their exams passed.
During the second and third year the training provide is incredibly helpful at guiding us apprentices through our level 3 NVQ, with regularly montly meetings to ensure we remain on track.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My qualification I am working towards is an EAL Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance. This qualification is very good at helping me perform better in my role.
There are parts of the NVQ that I do feel add little value to my role, however overall it has a strong positive impact in ensuring I develop my knowledge and handskill to help me become a better aircraft maintenance technician.
There are parts of the NVQ that I do feel add little value to my role, however overall it has a strong positive impact in ensuring I develop my knowledge and handskill to help me become a better aircraft maintenance technician.
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
Working for Boeing there are a lot of extra opportunities you can get involves in, mainly regarding STEM activities.
Boeing prides itself in an active promotor of STEM, and as an apprentice there are a huge amount of opportunities to join in on this.
I have personnally joined in on several STEM promotion events with Boeing, most notiably at RIAT 2024 which is an incredble opportinity to chat and help potential future aircraft technicians and engineers.
Boeing prides itself in an active promotor of STEM, and as an apprentice there are a huge amount of opportunities to join in on this.
I have personnally joined in on several STEM promotion events with Boeing, most notiably at RIAT 2024 which is an incredble opportinity to chat and help potential future aircraft technicians and engineers.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Boeing UK to a friend?
Yes
Why?
- Paid to learn
- Unmatched opportunities working on aircraft such as Chinook and Apache
- Incredibly diverse day to day jobs. Everyday is different and everyday brings a new challenge.
- Opportunity to make life long friends with other apprentices going through the experience with you
- Future progression! The opportunities apprentices recieve are incredible and there are alot of avenues we can progress into
- Unmatched opportunities working on aircraft such as Chinook and Apache
- Incredibly diverse day to day jobs. Everyday is different and everyday brings a new challenge.
- Opportunity to make life long friends with other apprentices going through the experience with you
- Future progression! The opportunities apprentices recieve are incredible and there are alot of avenues we can progress into
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Boeing UK?
Apply now! Dont hold off, especially if you are worried it will be to difficult. The support around apprentices is unmatched and everyone works together to ensure everyone gets through it!
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