Craft Plant Apprenticeship - Tool Room

Airbus; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An aerospace corporation located in Broughton is offering a Craft Tool Room Apprentice position, providing hands-on training in maintaining jigs and tools for aircraft manufacturing. The apprenticeship spans 36 months and includes academic qualifications, with specific requirements of five GCSEs including Maths and English. This role promotes diversity and values practical skills for a rewarding career in aviation.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Achieve a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade C or 4.
• Interest in hands-on learning and technical skills.
• Experience in DIY or technical projects is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair production jigs and tools.
• Support manufacturing of wing skins and panels.
• Attend college for further qualifications.

Skills

Hands-on practical skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

Minimum five GCSEs including Maths, English, and Science

Tools

CNC Machines

Laser Trackers

Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

Job description

Job Description:

Start date: September 2026
Location: Broughton
Duration: 36 months

Application: We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for, however, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

Apply early to avoid missing out — we may close adverts once we receive sufficient applications.

Salary: A competitive starting salary of £17,889
35 hours per week // 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 Tool Room Apprentice in Airbus Broughton and play a vital role in maintaining the wing jigs and associated Tooling 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 17,500 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 Tool Room 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 multi skilled Tool Makers within the Tool Room area, supporting the manufacture of wing skins, panels and stringers for various Airbus aircraft, working within all the Broughton production areas. 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:

• Maintenance of the production jigs / tools, and using a variety of machines within the machine shop:
• Carrying out routine Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and reactive breakdown repairs on all Industrial Maintenance assets within the Airbus Broughton plant, completing this to a high competent level and working in a safe and efficient manner.
• Demonstrate effective troubleshooting on all aspects of plant jigs and tools.
• Repair & maintain the build jigs and the associated tooling through the use of hand skills, engineering tools and laser trackers (non-contact measurement).
• Carrying out recertifications to the jigs and tools in order to ensure they meet the design criteria.
• We also have a machine shop consisting of various machines (both CNC and conventional) that supports the day to day running of the plant and also carrying out non contact (digital) measurements using laser trackers and a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM).

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

• NVQ Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing
• City & Guilds or BTEC Level 3 qualification

Upon successful completion of your 36-month apprenticeship, you'll become a Multi skilled Tool maker working within the Tooling Operations 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
  • Grade C or 4 in English Language
  • 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)
• Apply by attaching your CV and cover letter.

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: Please note: Any offer will be conditional upon us receiving evidence of your required grades 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.

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.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process.