Apprenticeship · Level 2
Apprentice - Aircraft Workshop
British Airways£17,339
Heathrow
Expected closing date: Thursday, 19 November 2026
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TL;DR
Key Takeaways
- Undertake a 3.5-year apprenticeship to become a Workshop Engineer at British Airways.
- Gain hands-on experience repairing aircraft components, with study towards an EAL Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering.
- Starting salary of £17,339, increasing in years two and three.
- Based at London Heathrow, with study at Farnborough College of Technology in the first year.
- Application closing date: 19 November 2026.
About the Role
The Programme
You will gain experience working alongside experienced engineers, developing your skills while repairing aircraft components in ramp and hangar environments. You will rotate through different workshops to learn diverse skillsets and understand sophisticated aircraft components.
In addition to on-the-job training, you will study for qualifications to become a Workshop Engineer.
Year 1
- Initial induction at London Heathrow.
- Split between Farnborough College of Technology (3 days/week studying for a Composite Technician apprenticeship) and on-the-job training at the Fleet Support Facility workshop at Heathrow (2 days/week).
- Achieve an EAL Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and study towards knowledge, skills, and behaviours.
- Undertake placements at British Airways Heathrow base for practical skills.
Year 2
- Monday to Friday pattern.
- Attend college 1 day per week for knowledge, skills, and behaviours criteria.
- 4 days on-the-job training at Heathrow.
Year 3
- Transition to a 4 on/4 off day shift pattern.
- Complete work-based portfolio of evidence for end-point assessment.
Additional training will be provided in Air Legislation, Human Factors, and Aircraft Composite repairs, with regular 1:1 meetings and progress reviews.
About You
Entry Requirements
- Minimum of a grade 5 (B) in Maths GCSE.
- English and Science GCSE at grade 9 – 4 (A* - C) are desirable.
- Predicted grades are accepted but must be achieved before the apprenticeship starts.
Disqualifications
- HNC/HND or Degree in Engineering.
- BTEC Level 3 in Engineering.
Personal Attributes
- Strong communicator.
- Awareness for safety.
- Self-starter.
- Adaptable to change.
- Genuine passion for engineering.
Benefits
- Part of a large apprentice network and community.
- Involvement in sustainability initiatives and community groups (e.g., LGBTQ+ 'Flying Proud', ethnic minority network 'BeMe').
- Participation in Community Investment programmes and fundraising challenges.
- Volunteering in schools and colleges to inspire and mentor students.
- Access to heavily discounted flights and generous annual leave.
Recruitment Process
- Step 1: Complete a Pre-Application Task on the Discover & Prep hub.
- Step 2: Begin your application after completing the hub activities.
- Step 3: Complete online assessments.
- Step 4: Video Interview (successful candidates invited in November).
- Step 5: Assessment Centre at Waterside (January/February 2027).