Apprenticeships are the basis of all Engineering training and are seen as a yardstick for anyone who wishes to make engineering their career. At SkillAir we are able to offer two apprenticeship Aircraft Engineering maintenance training schemes - one at Brooklands and a second at Northbrook.
To be an apprentice the student has to be in employment in a job which is Aircraft maintenance related, and be under 25 at the start of the course. In some cases there is a limit of under age 19 on the start of the course. The course will last for up to four years and the training is funded by the Government. They will follow a programme designed by the industry’s Sector Skills Council which usually includes three elements: an NVQ, a Technical Certificate (often a Progression Award) and a Key Skills award.
Apprenticeships are provided in two levels: Apprenticeship (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3. Although most Aero Apprenticeship will be set at level 3
‘Apprenticeships’ apply to England only. Similar programmes (Modern Apprenticeships) operate elsewhere in the UK.
During the course the students will study the following:-
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Employment Responsibilities and Rights
This will introduce the apprentice to their terms and conditions of employment. The apprentice will complete a workbook which can be used as a reference should any queries be experienced during their apprenticeship. |
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Keyskills Level 2
It is expected that apprentices will be able to progress within the industry to management level and will need to achieve basic levels of English, Maths and IT. To address this, all apprentices will need to pass Keyskills Level 2 in the following subjects: Application of Number, Communications, IT, Improving one’s own learning, and Working with Others. The first three subjects are subjected to an examination and portfolios and the last two by assessment in the workplace. Apprentices achieving GCSEs in Maths and English Language at grades A-C are exempt from the need to take the Keyskills aspect of the apprenticeship. |
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NVQ Level 2
(Either Performing Engineering Operations or SEMTA National Vocational Qualification in Aircraft Engineering Maintenance) This will give the apprentices a good basic knowledge of engineering and covers handskills and other basics which will ensure that the Student is of use to an employer. At all time the student is made aware of Health and Safety to ensure that he is not a danger to himself or others. SAFETY IS A MAJOR FEATURE of Aircraft Engineering and is central to all teaching in all three colleges |
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Technical Certificate
A technical certificate will provide the student with a thorough underpinning knowledge of Aircraft Engineering. The subjects covered include Business Systems for Technicians, Communications for Technicians, and Science for Technicians, Mathematics, and A project, Aircraft Workshop Principles, Theory of Flight and Aerospace Science. The technical certificate is normally the EDEXCEL Aerospace Engineering (BTEC National) or the City and Guilds 2661 |
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NVQ Level 3
The National Vocational Qualification level 3 again stresses Safety in all workshop operations. But importantly it covers the assessment of a student by a qualified assessor in the workplace carrying out a number of prescribed task to ensure that the student has a fully knowledge of the industry he intends to make a career. Typically it might ask the student to identify a work related task, to plan the execution of the task listing and carrying out all the tasks and then having it signed by a Line manager. All records of tasks completed are kept in a portfolio which is checked by both an internal (IV) and external verifier (EV). This will be a permanent record of work completed and will act as a reminder in later life of how to complete certain tasks. |
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Conclusion
At the end of an apprenticeship the students can be proud of the fact they have completed a difficult course which will fit them for a worthwhile, interesting and well paid career in Aircraft Engineering. |