Aircraft Fitter (Operations) Apprentice

GKN Aerospace company; East Cowes; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary £16,867–£24,520

37‑hour week

Half day finish on Fridays

190 hours holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Life assurance & income protection

24/7 support programme

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in East Cowes offers a four-year Apprenticeship Programme where you’ll learn manufacturing and engineering by doing, get paid while you train, and grow with experienced colleagues. The program aligns with the Level 3 Aerospace Engineering Technician standard and involves rotations through final assembly areas.

You’ll learn on the job, attend college, and build skills ranging from safety to high‑precision assembly. The role is a strong start for a career in aerospace.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths, English and Science.
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English & Maths are a suitable alternative to GCSE English & Maths at grade 4 or above.
• Other suitable Level 2 qualifications will be considered, if you do not have 5 GCSEs.

Responsibilities

• Year 1 – prepare to hit the ground running, build core skills and confidence.
• Years 2 & 3 – rotate through final assembly areas, gain hands-on experience and expand knowledge.
• Year 4 – complete End Point Assessment and achieve apprenticeship qualification.
• Attend college or training sessions regularly and apply learning on the job.

Skills

Willingness to Learn

Positive Attitude

Curiosity

Education

5 GCSEs (Maths, English, Science)

Functional Skills Level 2 in English & Maths

Job description

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Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

CLOSING DATE: Tuesday 09th February 2027

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 (Aerospace Fitting Technician Pathway), 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.

How You’ll Contribute - 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, who has the desire to become a skilled aircraft fitter. If you enjoy problem solving, teamwork, and making things happen, this is your launch pad to a powerful future.

What You’ll Bring

• 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.

Job Qualifications

To join us, you’ll need:

5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths, English and Science.

Notes:

• Functional Skills Level 2 in English & Maths, are a suitable alternative to GCSE English & Maths at grade 4 or above.

2. Other suitable Level 2 qualifications will be considered, if you do not have 5 GCSE’s.

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

Job Responsibilities

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.

When you join us, you’re not just starting a job — you’re stepping into a future with real rewards. Here’s what you’ll get:

• Starting salary between £16,867 to £24,520 (based on age related national minimum wage)
• Salary increased annually on completion of targets.
• A 37‑hour week
• Half day finish on Fridays!
• 190 hours of holiday (plus bank holidays!) to recharge and relax
• Discounts on your favourite shops and brands
• A top‑tier pension scheme — we boost your savings for the future
• Life assurance and income protection, because your wellbeing matters
• Access to a 24/7 support programme if you ever need to talk
• Virtual GP appointments for you and your close family

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We arethe place where human dreams, plus humanendeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.