Craft Plant Apprenticeship - Machining

Airbus; Broughton; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 12,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 hours per week

25 days holiday

Pension

Success share

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Airbus in Broughton is offering a Craft Machining Apprentice program spanning 36 months. You will train hands-on in the machine shop, gain qualified outcomes, and work toward recognised engineering qualifications while contributing to wing manufacture for Airbus aircraft.

You will study at Coleg Cambria and on-site in North Wales, with day release to college, mentoring from skilled machinists, and a clear path to a skilled manufacturing career within a world-leading aerospace group.

Qualifications

• Achieve a minimum of five GCSEs which must include:
• Grade C/4 in Maths (GCSE certificate only - no equivalency accepted)
• Grade C/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 Science

Responsibilities

• Work in the machine shop at Airbus Broughton, machining wing components and assemblies.
• Follow bespoke setup sheets and use stringer machining and long bed milling practices.
• Attend college on day release and work toward Level 3 and City & Guild qualifications.

Education

NVQ L2 diploma in Performing engineering operations

City & Guild 2850 Level 2 In Machining

Level 2 Essential Skills

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering (Machining Bias Units)

City & Guild 2850 Level 3 Machining

GCSEs (Maths & English)

Job description

Start date: September 2027

Location: Broughton

Duration: 36 months

Closing date for applications: 15th December 2026

Benefits

• 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 Machining 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 Machining 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, Bersham Road, Wrexham, working towards obtaining:

• NVQ L2 diploma in Performing engineering operations
• City & Guild 2850 Level 2 In Machining
• 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 Broughton! Building on your foundational knowledge, you will be based at Airbus Broughton (North Wales) and you'll join our expert team of Machinists within the machine shop area, supporting the manufacture of wing skins, panels and stringers for various Airbus aircraft. The tasks will be varied, and will require you to apply your skills directly to live projects, allowing you to work on the job whilst gaining the relevant skills, knowledge and experience. This will include:

• Carrying out a variety of different techniques including following bespoke set up sheet instructions to complete a machining process as well as the use of stringer machining and long bed milling machining practices within the Airbus Broughton plant, completing this to a high competent level and in a safe efficient manner.
• Through your training you will have the ability to demonstrate effective loading and locating of billets, and unloading of finished components within the Airbus Broughton plant, completing this to a high competent level and in a safe efficient manner.

Additionally you will also attend college on day release, working towards gaining:

• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering (Machining Bias Units)
• City & Guild 2850 Level 3 Machining

Upon successful completion of your 36-month apprenticeship, you'll become a skilled Machinist working within the Large component manufacture (LCM) team supporting 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