Craft Plant Apprenticeship - Aerostructures

Job Description:

Start date: September 2027

Location: Broughton

Duration: 36 months

Application: We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for, however, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

Closing date for applications: 15th December 2026

Benefits

Salary: A competitive starting salary of £19,185

35 hours per week (on either a standard working day or a double-day shift pattern, providing flexibility) // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays // Pension // Success share // Plus many more flexible benefits!

About us:

Ready to build the wings that lift the world?Join Airbus as a Craft Aerostructures Apprentice in Airbus Broughton and play a vital role in manufacturing wings for our A320, A330, and A350 aircraft families. This 36-month program offers valuable hands-on training, recognised qualifications, and a clear path to a rewarding career in aviation.

At Airbus, we believe a diverse workforce drives innovation. We're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive. Airbus is a global pioneer in the aerospace industry, leading the way in designing, manufacturing, and delivering aerospace products across Commercial Aircraft, Helicopters, Defence, and Space sectors. As the global center of excellence for wing manufacturing, our Broughton site delivers over 500 wing sets annually. Our apprenticeship programs are carefully designed to give you valuable practical training alongside your academic studies, setting you up for success and helping your career truly fly.

With over 17,5000 employees worldwide and as the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, Airbus is at the forefront of the aviation industry. During your apprenticeship you will work alongside our experienced engineers and quality team to support you to complete the work safely and efficiently

What you will be doing:

As a Craft Aerostructures Apprentice, you'll immerse yourself in hands-on technical experience in the workplace while completing your academic studies. This program is designed to equip you with valuable qualifications and competencies to work directly on live aircraft. You'll also benefit from our Gen A support network and learning HUB, providing additional support, events, and opportunities for all early career participants.

This 36-month apprenticeship is structured to maximise your learning and impact:

Year One: You will spend the first 12 months of your apprenticeship based at Coleg Cambria, Deeside, working towards obtaining:

• NVQ Level 2 diploma in Performing Engineering Operations;
• City and Guild 2675 Level 2 in In Aircraft engineering
• Level 2 Essential Skills;

This will allow you to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to enable you to make an immediate contribution when you enter the workforce in the second year.

Year 2 and 3: Your Learning Takes Flight at Broughton! Building on your foundational knowledge, you'll join our world-class team at the Airbus Broughton site in North Wales. Here, you'll apply your skills directly to live aircraft projects and assist in manufacturing the wings for our Single Aisle and Wide body families, rotating through various wing production areas every 6 months to gain diverse experience. Your varied tasks will require a range of technical skills.

This will include:

• Setting templates and jigs
• Precision drilling and bolting
• Final fitting and assembly of wing box components (e.g., spars, stringers, ribs, pylons, wing skins).

You'll continue your academic studies on day release, working towards:

• Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering)
• Advanced Manufacturing Engineering BTEC L3 Certificate

Upon successful completion of your 36-month apprenticeship, you'll become a skilled aircraft fitter, specialising in the drill-off and assembly of both metallic and composite components to produce the wing box structure on our world-class Airbus aircraft. You'll receive a Modern Apprenticeship Certificate, setting you up for a fantastic career.

Requirements

In order to be eligible to this apprenticeship you must:

-> Achieve a minimum of five GCSEs which must include:

• Grade C or 4 in Maths (GCSE certificate only - no equivalency accepted)
• Grade C or 4 in English Language (GCSE certificate only - no equivalency accepted)
• Grade CC or 44 in Double Award Science OR Grade C/4 in Single award in Physics.
• Plus 2 other GCSEs at grade C or 4 (other qualifications that are equivalent or higher may be considered as an alternative to the additional 2 GCSE’s, preferably in a practical or technical subject (e.g., Design & Technology, Engineering, etc)

-> Attach your CV (stating your predicted or achieved grades) and cover letter stating your motivation for the role and industry.

To be a successful candidate you need to have a passion for learning, enjoy hands-on, teamwork and problem-solving activities.

BOOST YOUR APPLICATION

We want to get to know you! Not just your grades or school background so, tell us on your cover letter:

• Why Airbus?
  What is it about Airbus that makes you excited to start a career with us? Is it our aircraft, innovation, global impact, or something else? Let us know what interests you about our work and why we stand out to you.

• Why a hands-on apprenticeship?
  Why do you want to learn by doing? We’d love to hear what draws you to practical, skills-based learning.

• Show your hands-on experience.
  In your CV or cover letter, include any hands-on activities or hobbies where you've used practical skills. These could be things like:
  • DIY projects
  • Building and fixing things
  • Doing make-up or beauty work
  • Tinkering and Tech Projects
  • Building models
  • Baking or cooking
  • Others

Important Information:

GRADES: Any offer will be conditional upon us receiving evidence of your required grades 24h after receiving your certificates on results day, in addition to completing all pre-employment checks and online forms.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK: Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom. For more information, please check the Government Website.

Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.

AI Guidance: We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus http://airbus.com/en/careers/use-of-ai.

Contact:

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact via email apprentices@airbus.com​. ​ ​Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Operations Limited

Employment Type:

Apprenticeship

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Experience Level:

Entry Level

Job Family:

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.