There are four distinct routes for students to follow to start a career in Aero and Aviation Engineering. These are:
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Increased Flexibility Programme
This is undertaken by school students in their last two years at School where they a suitable College attend one day each week and study for a GCSE in Engineering. These courses are aimed at high achievers who want to follow a career in engineering. There is great competition for places on these courses and anyone who wants to follow this route should ask their Form teacher as early as possible. |
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Vocational Courses
This is undertaken by school leavers who want to start a career in Engineering and who have done well at school. The Courses offered by all three SkillAir Partner Colleges are the National Diploma in Engineering. To view a full list of courses slelect Aero Courses on the right. |
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Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are the foundation to a career in Engineering. Most great engineers throughout history have started work as an apprentice. A noted example of this is Sir Frank Whittle who invented the Jet Engine. Apprenticeships start with being employed by a company in the Aircraft industry. They normally work in industry and attend college one day per week and are open to anyone between the ages of 16-25 but more recently this has been restricted to those under 19 years old on the first day of the courses. In 2006 this will be 4th September. Full details of apprenticeship select Apprenticeships on the right. |
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Licence Courses
These courses are for those who wish to follow a career in Aircraft maintenance and are conducted to prepare students to gain the EASA Part-66 Course. The course consists of 17 Modules and the various type of Licence requires passes in a different combination of these modules. SkillAir Provide access to these courses by the following methods:- a) An EASA certifying mechanic course at Northbrook College which has now been awarded a Part-147 accreditation for A1 and A2 licenc.e b) Part-66 B1 Individual Modules are deliver at Brooklands College at the end of the course the students take the exams at CAA at Gatwick. c) PART66NOW an online course both for those in the Aircraft Industry wishing to gain or convert their licence or those that are considering a career in the industry. By using PART66NOW students can study at where and when they like and do not lose money through taking time off work. This course is also of use to Servicemen who are considering making a career in Civilian Aviation and who can achieve their licence after one year in a PART 145 organisation but who need to pass the Modules exams. |
There is an opportunity to progress through a number of the courses into Higher education via Higher National Diploma in Aerospace Engineering to a degree at university.
Northbrook also delivers modules of Brighton University’s Masters’ Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Farnborough delivers Higher National Diploma and Foundation degrees in various subjects This route leads to employment with aerospace manufacturers, research organisations, as design, test or performance engineers, etc.