Advanced Operations (Craft) Apprentice

GKN Aerospace; East Cowes; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is offering a 4-year apprenticeship at their East Cowes facility. No experience required; you'll learn while getting paid, gaining hands-on experience, and building skills in aerospace manufacturing. The position includes rotating through areas of the business and completing a qualification with mentorship. A starting salary between £16,110 and £23,555 is offered, along with a great benefits package.

Benefits

Starting salary between £16,110 to £23,555

37-hour week with half day finish on Fridays

190 hours of holiday plus bank holidays

Top-tier pension scheme

Life assurance and income protection

Responsibilities

• Learn by doing in a hands-on role in aerospace manufacturing.
• Rotate through different final assembly areas during the apprenticeship.
• Build specialist skills and complete End Point Assessment in the final year.

Skills

Willingness to Learn

Positive Attitude

Curiosity

Education

5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths and English, or Functional Skills Level 2

Job description

About the Apprenticeship

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: TUESDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2026

Ready to build something amazing?

Our four-year Apprenticeship Programme, at our East Cowes facility, is your chance to dive into the world of cutting‑edge manufacturing and engineering — no experience needed. You’ll learn by doing, get paid while you train, and grow your skills alongside experienced colleagues who will support you all the way.

At GKN Aerospace, in partnership with the Isle of Wight College and working in conjunction with the Level 3 Aerospace Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard, we’ll teach you the skills you need to succeed – combining classroom learning with hands‑on experience in real, industry‑focused environments. With our expert support, your curiosity, and a can‑do attitude, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Build Your Future in Aerospace!

In this hands‑on role, you’ll be part of a team delivering the future—building parts, testing components, and working with powerful tech and tools – don’t worry, we’ll teach you how! You will gain real transferable skills that matter, from assembling complex aerospace components to turning complex ideas into reality. Your work helps aircraft take flight – it’s exciting, practical, and open to everyone. If you enjoy problem solving, teamwork, and making things happen, this is your launch pad to a powerful future.

About You

• Willingness to Learn
  You're open to new ideas, ready to take on feedback, and always looking to grow. You don’t need to know everything now — just be ready to learn and improve every step of the way.
• Positive Attitude
  You bring energy, enthusiasm, and a ‘can‑do’ mind set to whatever you’re working on. Even when things get challenging, you stay focused and keep pushing forward.
• Curiosity
  You like to ask questions, explore how things work, and understand the bigger picture. You’re interested in the details and eager to find out more.

You’ll be part of a team that’s got your back from day one – with awesome people ready to support you, guide you, and celebrate your wins. We’re all about creating a friendly, inclusive space where everyone can learn, grow, and smash their goals.

To join us, you’ll need:

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths and English, or Functional Skills Level 2.

If you've got the drive, we’ll help you build the skills.

What’s in it for you

• Year 1 – Your first year is all about getting you ready to hit the ground running. You’ll build the core skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to succeed in years 2 & 3 – with the right mix of learning, support, and hands‑on prep to make it happen.
• Years 2 & 3 – You’ll rotate through different final assembly areas of the business, gaining hands‑on experience and expanding your knowledge along the way. You’ll have regular check‑ins with our apprenticeship team to track your progress, all while continuing your college studies.
• Year 4 –In your final placement, you’ll build specialist skills and complete your End Point Assessment – all leading to your apprenticeship qualification.

At GKN Aerospace, we commit to teaching and supporting you to:

• Work safely and accurately by following engineering instructions, health & safety regulations, and quality procedures – we’ll guide you every step of the way.
• Build strong technical, hands‑on skills in a live production setting, learning how to contribute to high‑performance aerospace manufacturing.
• Attend college or training sessions regularly, complete assignments on time, and apply what you learn in the workplace with our full support.
• Keep clear records of your work, track your development, and review progress regularly with our apprenticeship team, helping you stay on course and grow.

Perks You’ll Love!

• Starting salary between £16,110 to £23,555 (based on age‑related national minimum wage; salary increased annually on completion of agreed targets).
• A 37‑hour week, with a half day finish on Fridays!
• 190 hours of holiday (plus bank holidays!)
• A top‑tier pension scheme — we boost your savings for the future
• Life assurance and income protection, because your wellbeing matters
• Much, much more!