Operational Leadership Apprentice

GKN Aerospace; East Cowes; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturer in East Cowes is seeking candidates for a four-year apprenticeship program. You'll gain hands-on leadership experience while learning in real production settings. You must have three A-Levels or equivalent qualifications. An exciting opportunity to build skills and contribute to aerospace excellence, with a starting salary of £16,110 to £23,555 and various perks available.

Benefits

Starting salary between £16,110 to £23,555

37-hour work week with half days on Fridays

190 hours of holiday plus bank holidays

Top-tier pension scheme

Life assurance and income protection

Qualifications

• Must be ready to learn and improve.
• Bring energy and enthusiasm to the workplace.
• Curious and keen to explore how things work.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through different operational areas to gain hands-on experience.
• Build core skills for Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship.
• Complete specialist skills and End Point Assessment in final placement.

Skills

Willingness to Learn

Positive Attitude

Curiosity

Education

3 x A-Levels

1 x T-Level

Level 3 Diploma

Maths Grade 6 or above

English Grade 6 or above

Job description

About the Apprenticeship

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: TUESDAY 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026

Ready to build something amazing?

Our four-year Apprenticeship Programme, at our East Cowes facility, is your chance to dive into the world of cutting‑edge leadership and manufacturing — no experience needed. You’ll learn by doing, get paid while you train, and grow your skills alongside experienced colleagues who will support you all the way.

At GKN Aerospace, in partnership with the Isle of Wight College and working in conjunction with the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship Standard and progressing to the Level 5 Departmental Manager Apprenticeship Standard, we’ll teach you the skills you need to succeed – combining classroom learning with hands‑on experience in real, industry‑focused environments. With our expert support, your curiosity, and a can‑do attitude, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Build Your Future in Aerospace!

In this leadership role, you’ll be part of a team delivering the future – managing a team to deliver excellence in all areas of their work – don’t worry, we’ll teach you how! You will gain real transferable skills that matter, from leading and developing a team on the shopfloor to creating a culture of continuous improvement. Your work helps aircraft take flight – it’s exciting and open to everyone. If you enjoy leading teams, problem solving, teamwork, and making things happen, this is your launch pad to a powerful future.

About You

• Willingness to Learn
  You're open to new ideas, ready to take on feedback, and always looking to grow. You don’t need to know everything now — just be ready to learn and improve every step of the way.
• Positive Attitude
  You bring energy, enthusiasm, and a ‘can-do’ mind set to whatever you’re working on. Even when things get challenging, you stay focused and keep pushing forward.
• Curiosity
  You like to ask questions, explore how things work, and understand the bigger picture. You’re interested in the details and eager to find out more.

You’ll be part of a team that’s got your back from day one – with awesome people ready to support you, guide you, and celebrate your wins. We’re all about creating a friendly, inclusive space where everyone can learn, grow, and smash their goals.

To join us, you’ll need one of the following qualifications:

• 3 x A-Levels
• 1 x T-Level
• Level 3 Diploma

In addition to the above, the following GCSEs are required:

• Maths: Grade 6 or above
• English: Grade 6 or above

If you've got the drive, we’ll help you build the skills.

Job Qualifications

• Years 1 & 2 – All about getting you ready to hit the ground running throughout different operational areas in the business. You’ll build the core skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to complete the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship – with the right mix of learning, support, and hands‑on.

• Year 3 – You’ll continue to rotate through different operational areas of the business, gaining hands‑on leadership experience and expanding your knowledge. You’ll have regular check‑ins with our team to track your progress, all while continuing your college studies.

• Year 4 –In your final placement, you’ll build specialist skills and complete your End Point Assessment – all leading to your Level 5 Departmental Manager Apprenticeship.

At GKN Aerospace, we commit to teaching and supporting you to:

• Work safely and accurately by following engineering instructions, health & safety regulations, and quality procedures.
• Build strong technical, hands‑on skills in a live production setting, learning how to contribute to high‑performance aerospace manufacturing.
• Attend college or training sessions regularly, complete assignments on time, and apply what you learn in the workplace with our full support.
• Keep clear records of your work, track your development, and review progress regularly with our apprenticeship team, helping you stay on course and grow.

Perks You’ll Love!

• Starting salary between £16,110 to £23,555 (based on age‑related national minimum wage; salary increased annually on completion of agreed targets).
• A 37‑hour week, with a half day finish on Fridays!
• 190 hours of holiday (plus bank holidays!)
• A top‑tier pension scheme — we boost your savings for the future
• Life assurance and income protection, because your wellbeing matters
• Much, much more!