Craft Plant Apprenticeship - Aerostructures

Airbus; Broughton; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension

Success share

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Airbus invites applications for a 36‑month Craft Aerostructures Apprenticeship at the Broughton site in North Wales. You will work on live wing projects for A320, A330 and A350, rotating through production areas while completing academic courses and gaining valuable hands-on experience.

You will study NVQ and BTEC qualifications, supported by our Gen A network and HUB, with a clear path to a career as an aircraft fitter focusing on wing box assembly.

Qualifications

• Achieve a minimum of five GCSEs including Maths (C/4) and English Language (C/4).
• Grade CC or 44 in Double Award Science, or C/4 in Physics.
• Plus 2 other GCSEs at grade C/4 or equivalent, preferably in a practical/technical subject.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through wing production areas to gain diverse experience.
• Set templates and jigs; perform precision drilling and bolting.
• Assist in final fitting and assembly of wing box components (spars, stringers, ribs, pylons, wing skins).
• Study towards Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering) and BTEC L3 while on day release.

Skills

Hands-on technical

Rotational training

Education

NVQ Level 2 diploma in Performing Engineering Operations

City and Guild 2675 Level 2 in In Aircraft engineering

Level 2 Essential Skills

Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering)

Advanced Manufacturing Engineering BTEC L3 Certificate

Job description

Start date: September 2027

Location: Broughton

Duration: 36 months

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

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)