Craft Plant Apprenticeship - Aerostructures

Airbus S.A.S.; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Success share

Fridays afternoon off

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Airbus Belfast is offering a Craft Plant Apprenticeship in Aerostructures in Belfast for 36 months. The programme combines hands-on training with academic study, starting September 2027 and including a 36-hour work week, a competitive starting salary, and a pension scheme.

The closing date is 20 December 2026. You will begin with 12 months at Castlereagh Campus, Belfast Met, gaining NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations and related qualifications, before joining the Belfast

Qualifications

• Minimum of four GCSEs including Maths, English and Science (or a technology-based subject) and one additional GCSE at grade C/4.
• Essential Skills, Key Skills or City & Guilds at the appropriate level, or equivalent qualifications, will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Learn foundational skills for building aircraft during Year 1 at Belfast Met Castlereagh Campus.
• Apply skills to live aircraft projects in Years 2 and 3 at the Belfast site.
• Carry out fitting activities in wing box production areas, including drilling and installing fasteners.
• Continue academic studies toward Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering) and Level 3 Academic Certificate.

Education

GCSEs including Maths & English & Science or Technology

Essential Skills or City & Guilds equivalents

Job description

Craft Plant Apprenticeship - Aerostructures

Belfast

Full time

Job Description:

Start date: September 2027

Location: Belfast

Duration: 36 months

Closing date for applications: 20th December 2026

Salary: A competitive starting salary of £16,632.00

• 36 hours per week
• Pension scheme
• Success share
• Plus many more flexible benefits!
• Fridays afternoon off

About us:

Ready to build the wings that lift the world? Join Airbus as a Craft Engineering Apprentice at our site in Belfast and play a vital role in manufacturing the wings and the mid fuselage for our A220 aircraft. This 36-month programme 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 centre of excellence for A220 wing manufacturing and a production hub for the A220 mid fuselage, our Belfast site delivers over 70 wing sets each year.

Our apprenticeship programme is 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 157,000 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 fitters and engineers to support you to complete the work safely and efficiently.

What you will be doing:

As a Craft Apprentice you'll immerse yourself for the first 12 months of the programme learning the foundational skills required for building aircraft. While completing your academic studies the course will also cover an element of mechanical fitting activities.

This programme is designed to equip you with valuable qualifications and competencies to work directly on aircraft components.

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 the newly renovated Castlereagh Campus of the Belfast Met working towards obtaining: NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations; Level 2 Academic Qualification; 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 Belfast! Building on your foundational knowledge, you'll join our world‑class team at the Airbus Belfast site. Here, you'll apply your skills directly to live aircraft projects. Your varied tasks will require a range of technical skills. This will include:

• Preparation & Setup: This involves meticulously cleaning, sanding, and masking surfaces to ensure proper adhesion and a flawless finish. It also includes accurately mixing paints and preparing spray equipment according to specifications.
• Application & Quality: Skillfully applying multiple, even coats of paint using precise techniques, while monitoring environmental conditions. A crucial part of the role is inspecting the finish for quality, making adjustments, and performing touch‑ups, all while strictly adhering to safety protocols and equipment maintenance.
• Fitting Activities - This would include a placement in our single aisle and wide body business areas to perform fitting activities in our wing box production areas, these activities will include drilling and installing fasteners.

You'll continue your academic studies on day release, working towards: Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering); Level 3 Academic Certificate.

Upon successful completion of your 36-month apprenticeship, you'll become a Skilled Fitter, specialising in the assembly of both metallic and composite components to produce the wing box structure and the mid fuselage section of our world‑class A220 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 four GCSEs which must include:

• Grade C or 4 in Maths
• Grade C or 4 in English Language
• Grade C or 4 in Science or a Technology based subject
• Plus 1 other GCSEs at grade C or 4

Essential Skills, Key Skills or City & Guilds, at the appropriate level, will also be considered as acceptable equivalents