Aircraft Maintenance Retrain Program

Bombardier's Business Aircraft London Service Centre in Biggin Hill is part of an award-winning network and is the flagship of Bombardier's European operation. This Base and Line Maintenance Centre is the fastest-growing Service Centre in Europe and the largest Business Aircraft OEM in the UK. The facility has the capabilities to perform an array of maintenance checks, modifications and upgrades all from this site. Only 14 miles from London, Bombardier's Biggin Hill Service Centre is ideally located to support operators in the UK region and beyond.

As our ideal candidate for Level 2 & Level 3 Apprenticeship:

• Attend and engage with training, including exams and 1-2-1 meetings with your tutors/assessors
• Manage your time effectively to complete all coursework, assignments and exams required to achieve the apprenticeship
• Reflect on your own practice and experiences and take any feedback onboard
• Scheduled aircraft maintenance and servicing
• Unscheduled aircraft maintenance including defect rectification to aircraft systems and components
• Repairs to airframe structures
• All levels of modifications to aircraft structures, systems and interiors
• Related duties, including operation of ground equipment, assistance in aircraft movements and aircraft delivery

As a fitter, the role has by necessity, a very high level of quality control in order to maintain the aircraft safely and to regulatory standards. There is a requirement for you to gain a developed understanding of Bombardier processes and procedures in order to be compliant with these standards.

The Apprenticeship:

As a Trainee Aircraft Fitter you will be following the Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard (Fixed and Rotary Wing). More detailed information can be found on the Farnborough College of Technology website. Trainees will gain the following qualifications during their apprenticeship:

• Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace & Aviation Engineering (foundation competence)
• Level 3 Diploma in On-Aircraft Maintenance Category A (technical knowledge qualification)
• Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance, approved by the CAA.

Trainees work towards developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required through a range of workshop training, classroom sessions and on the job learning. Not only will they develop their technical skills they will also have the opportunity to develop the behaviours needed to set the foundation for their future career. They will be supported every step of the way by our instructors, mentors, line managers and fellow apprentices.

Apprentices will complete an initial block of learning in the Farnborough College of Technology (FCOT) workshop completing their Level 2 competence qualification and will then move into the workplace. An assessor will meet with the apprentice every 6 weeks to go through and sign off their competence qualification. They will also attend a combination of day and block release learning either in person or virtually for their knowledge qualification. All qualifications can be completed within 2.5 years, this program is an intensive version of our traditional apprenticeship route.

Following completion of all qualifications trainees will then move into the End Point Assessment (EPA) period which can take up to 4 months to complete. This program is designed for individuals who currently work in hands-on environments and/or trades industry but are not currently in the aerospace or aviation sector. It is expected that individuals will have been in industry for a minimum of 2 years and already have some practical experience working. Individuals may currently be working in automotive, rail, trades or other hands-on environments. This would not be their first step into the world of work, and they should already have a basic understanding of health and safety and working in an engineering or related environment.

This is a more intensive and condensed version of the traditional apprenticeship program and there is an expectation that learners will progress quicker through the tasks and written work due to their level of experience. There will also be less emphasis on soft skills training, behaviour development, workplace skills and PHSE due to them already coming from a working environment.

Entry Requirements:

Requirements for Level 2 (Fastrack to Fitter) – 1 Year:

• Must not have a Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering or already completed the specific level 2 or 3 qualifications listed above in the apprenticeship section.
• In order to receive apprenticeship funding they must have the right to work in the UK and meet residency eligibility requirements.
• Must successfully pass all required medical and security checks.
• Must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a hands on role, engineering environment or trade environment with some experience of using hand tools.

Requirements for Level 3, 2.5 Years:

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade A*-C/4-9 (or equivalent) including Mathematics, English and Science.
• Must not have a Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering or already completed the specific level 2 or 3 qualifications listed above in the apprenticeship section.
• In order to receive apprenticeship funding they must have the right to work in the UK and meet residency eligibility requirements.
• Must successfully pass all required medical and security checks.
• Must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a hands on role, engineering environment or trade environment with some experience of using hand tools.

Bombardier is an equal opportunity employer and encourages persons of any race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age immigration status, disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics to apply.