Craft Plant Apprenticeship - Aerostructures

Airbus; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Success share

Fridays afternoon off

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Airbus Belfast Limited is seeking a Craft Engineering Apprentice for a 36‑month programme in Belfast. You will learn foundational aircraft assembly skills, including mechanical fitting and painting, while pursuing NVQ Level 2/3 qualifications and day release studies.

Successful candidates will join a world‑class team, progressing from foundational work to live aircraft projects on the A220 wing box and mid fuselage, with a clear path to skilled fitter status and long‑term career opportunities.

Qualifications

• Achieve a minimum of four GCSEs which must include Maths, English Language, Science or a Technology-based subject, plus one other GCSE.
• Essential Skills or City & Guilds equivalents are acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Learn foundational aircraft assembly skills in year 1, including mechanical fitting activities.
• Apply painting and surface preparation skills with attention to safety and quality.
• Work on wing box production areas in year 2–3, performing fitting and tooling tasks as required.
• Continue day-release studies toward Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering) and Level 3 Academic Certificate.

Education

GCSEs including Maths, English, Science or Technology subject, plus one more

Job description

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:

• NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations;
• Level 2 Academic Qualification;
• Level 2 Essential Skills.

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.

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

Applicants should be aware that the selection of successful candidates will be made in accordance with the eligibility criteria for the funding of the Apprenticeships NI 2021 programme, as set out by the Department for the Economy.

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 the full duration of the programme. 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 [e-mail]. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We employ people from all sections of the community and are committed to the appointment of the best candidate based upon the merit principle alone. In pursuit of our equal opportunities programme, we would particularly welcome more applications from Catholics and females, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.

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.

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.

Company

Airbus Belfast Limited

Employment Type

Apprenticeship

Experience Level

Student

Job Family

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.

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.