Test Technician Apprentice Review
at GE Aerospace
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Manufacturing
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
3.4 /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!
3/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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:
3/5
Multiple 6 month rotations around the business with a good mixture of civil and defence departments, visually inspecting products for manufacturing faults, assisting in engineering investigations and powering units and boards with a diverse set of test equipment. You will gain a strong understanding of the test softwares that are used to debug faults on products and diagnose faults.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I have not yet completed year 1 however I enjoy working on a wide verity of civil and defence products, I am impressed by the opportunities apprentices have to develop their skills and careers through internal resources and trips around different sites, other engineering organisations and events. Level 4/5 programmes are a great choice for those who aren't sure about taking the big leap from A levels/ BTEC level 3 into level 6 degree apprenticeships.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Dexterity, attention to detail, problem solving, proficient in using various hand tools and test equipment, interpreting technical drawings and schematics, touble shooting and diagnostics, knowledge of some aircraft systems.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
There is a structure set for apprentices that include working days, days were you are in college and study days where you are on site completing assignments or any college work.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
Support is all around you, from other Test Technicians on the shopfloor to managers and people leaders. I have found that the staff I work alongside are the best support for apprentices as some have previously been on the scheme and can guide you. GE provides various support systems from in person meetings and discussions to online applications that provide any relevant information and opportunities to talk about any concerns you have as an apprentice.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
You have a great amount of support and guidance within your first year, there are staff there to help with concerns of reaching assignment deadlines, concerns of teaching content and provide in person reviews to see how you are handling work, personal and college life.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The electrical and electronic principals class helps to understand components that you work with a lot better. However I feel that other classes could be more tailored to our roles at GE rather than studying similar topics from level 3 like project management or design that doesn't relate to the work I do on the shopfloor.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend GE Aerospace to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Depending on the area of engineering or manufacturing that they would like to enter, GE Aerospace has multiple sites in the UK and Europe that provide great experiences and career progressing opportunities and roles.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to GE Aerospace?
Use any technical or hobby like experiences you have and use them in the application and interview process as you will be able to describe or even demonstrate your knowledge and skills, and apply them to the attributes GE are looking for in a apprentice in any role. Things like sports, coding, CAD, photography, working on your car, volunteering etc.
