Aerospace Engineering Apprentice – Level 3 Expleo

Training Provider: Coleg Cambria

Start Date: September 2026

Employment Type: Full-Time Apprenticeship

Programme Length: Typically 3 years

Your Engineering Career with Expleo

Looking to take your first step into aircraft and aerospace engineering? At Expleo UK, this apprenticeship gives you the chance to build real engineering experience from day one, while working towards a recognised Level 3 aircraft engineering pathway with Coleg Cambria. Based from our Chester / Saltney office, you will support live aerospace programmes and gain experience across more than one engineering route. This may include Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Quality and technical engineering support activities, depending on business requirements and placement opportunities.

This is a hands-on route into aerospace. You do not need prior aerospace experience — what matters most is curiosity, reliability, a practical mindset and a genuine interest in how aircraft are built, improved, repaired and delivered safely.

What’s in It for You?

• Paid work while you learn
• A structured Level 3 apprenticeship with Coleg Cambria, Deeside Campus
• A first-year foundation focused on practical aircraft engineering skills and core technical knowledge
• Exposure to real aerospace engineering programmes at Expleo
• The opportunity to build skills across aircraft assembly, manufacturing, design, quality, engineering data and technical problem solving
• Support from experienced engineers, mentors and the Early Careers team
• Progression opportunities across aerospace engineering disciplines, including Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Quality and Engineering Support functions

What Your Apprenticeship Will Look Like

The apprenticeship is designed to give you a broad aircraft engineering foundation first, before you build deeper workplace experience with Expleo in Years 2 and 3.

Year 1 – Foundation & Practical Skills

Your first year will focus on practical engineering operations and core aircraft engineering knowledge through Coleg Cambria. This is designed to help you build confidence, safety behaviours and the technical basics needed for aerospace work. You can expect to develop knowledge and practical skills in areas such as:

• Health and Safety, working efficiently and communicating technical information
• Aircraft detail assembly, mechanical fasteners and aircraft component assembly
• Engineering maths, aircraft materials and human factors
• Aircraft systems, theory of flight and aircraft electrical systems
• Workshop routines, measurement, tools and safe practical working

Years 2 and 3 – Applied Aerospace Engineering

As your knowledge develops, you will spend increasing time supporting Expleo aerospace programmes while continuing structured learning with Coleg Cambria. Your workplace experience may follow different routes depending on business needs and project opportunities. This could include Manufacturing Engineering activity, design-related engineering support, quality and airworthiness work, technical investigations, aircraft systems, structures, repair or continuous improvement projects. The aim is to give you a strong aerospace engineering foundation while allowing flexibility to support both manufacturing-focused and engineering-support-focused pathways.

Your Role & Responsibilities

As an Aerospace Engineering Apprentice, you will gradually learn how engineering supports aircraft programmes from concept through to build, repair, improvement and delivery. You may be involved in:

• Supporting aerospace engineering teams on live aircraft programmes
• Learning how engineering drawings, specifications, technical data and manufacturing information are used in practice
• Supporting Manufacturing Engineering activities linked to aircraft assembly, production support and process improvement
• Supporting Design Engineering or technical engineering support activity where project needs require it
• Contributing to quality checks, evidence gathering, airworthiness awareness and problem solving activity
• Helping teams investigate technical issues and identify practical improvements to products, processes or ways of working
• Developing understanding of aircraft manufacturing processes, structures, systems and standards
• Working with mentors and experienced engineers to apply your college learning in the workplace
• Building professional behaviours including teamwork, communication, reliability and attention to detail

What You’ll Learn

During the apprenticeship, you will develop a mix of practical, technical and professional skills, including:

• Aircraft engineering fundamentals
• Practical workshop, aircraft assembly and manufacturing skills
• Engineering drawings, technical information and engineering data
• Aircraft materials, systems, structures and electrical principles
• Quality, safety, airworthiness and human factors awareness
• Advanced manufacturing awareness, including composites, aircraft construction and repair, and industrial robotics
• Technical problem solving and continuous improvement
• Teamwork, communication and professional engineering behaviours.

Depending on business requirements and placement exposure, you may also gain insight into areas such as Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, quality, technical investigations, engineering support, concessions or wider aerospace programme delivery.

Skills & Experience You Should Possess

• Curious and keen to understand how aircraft and engineering systems work
• Practical problem-solvers who enjoy hands-on learning
• Reliable, committed and willing to learn
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Comfortable asking questions and taking feedback
• Interested in engineering, manufacturing, aircraft, design, technology or technical subjects
• Able to show attention to detail and pride in doing things properly

Bonus Points If You Have

• Taken engineering, design, technology, science or manufacturing-related subjects at school or college
• Completed any practical project work, either at school, college or in your own time
• Experience of making, fixing, building or improving things
• An interest in aircraft, aerospace, manufacturing, design, technology or quality
• Any previous work experience, volunteering or part-time work that shows reliability and commitment

Education & Qualifications You Need

• GCSEs, or equivalent, including Maths and English grade C/level 5 or above
• A science, engineering, technology, design or practical subject would be highly desirable.
• You will also need to be committed to completing the Level 3 apprenticeship with Coleg Cambria and attending the required college-based training.

What We Offer

At Expleo UK, we invest in early careers talent and support people to build long-term engineering careers. You’ll receive:

• An annual salary with company benefits
• Structured training and development
• Support from experienced engineers and mentors
• Practical workplace experience on real aerospace programmes
• Early Careers support throughout your apprenticeship
• A collaborative team environment
• Career development opportunities after successful completion.

Benefits include 25 days annual leave, gym flex membership, maternity and paternity pay, and access to Expleo’s wider learning and development opportunities.

Eligibility

This role requires the legal right to work in the UK. Due to the nature of our work, you may also need to be eligible to obtain security clearance in the future.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether your future lies in manufacturing, design, quality or wider aerospace engineering support, this apprenticeship provides a strong foundation to launch your engineering career while earning a recognised qualification. If you’re motivated, curious and ready to start building a career in aerospace engineering, this is a brilliant opportunity to earn while you learn. Apply now to join Expleo in September 2026 and start building your future in engineering.

How to apply

ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE ON OUR CAREERS PAGE. Visit our careers page on Expleo Careers Page If you require further information, or have any questions, please contact @earlycareersuk