Test Technician Higher Apprenticeship 2027 - Cheltenham

GE Aerospace; Bishop's Cleeve; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Non-contributory Pension

Life Assurance

Group income protection

Private medical cover

Holiday buy/sell option

Job summary

GE Aerospace in Cheltenham invites applications for a 3.5-year Test Technician Apprentice programme. You will rotate across the Manufacturing Supply Chain, studying for Level 4 Engineering/Manufacturing qualifications and an HNC/D with GET, Barnwood.

The scheme blends on-site placements with college learning to build practical skills and long-term career paths. You will gain hands-on experience with test equipment, circuit diagrams, and quality governance, supported by mentors and a wide

Qualifications

• Achieved or predicted GCSEs including Maths and English at C/4 or above.
• 3 A-Levels (or equivalent) including Maths or Engineering at grade C or above.
• Level 3 qualification (BTEC, T-Level or equivalent) in Engineering/Manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Support fault-finding on products to component level.
• Learn to use manual and automated test equipment on site.
• Assist in reading and understanding electronic, digital and analogue diagrams.
• Support quality investigations and ensure proper documentation.
• Rotate through core business units including PCB, Avionics, and Power sections.

Skills

Teamwork

Electronics

Schematic reading

Willingness to learn

Education

GCSE Maths and English grade C/4+

3 A-Levels including Maths or Engineering

Level 3 Engineering/Manufacturing qualification

Tools

Test equipment handling

Reading ECG/diagrams

Job description

Job Description Summary

As a Test Technician Apprentice (TTA) you will join our Cheltenham based Supply Chain on a 3.5-year rotational scheme that will train you be a Test Technician, enabling you to understand the end-to-end manufacturing process, down to component level, from a test perspective. You will do this whilst studying a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship - Electrical, completing an HNC/D qualification with Gloucestershire Engineering Training. Our apprenticeship is focused on supporting your personal, professional and academic development, and is an opportunity to begin a career as part of a global business within the aviation industry.

Role Description

• As a Test Technician Apprentice (TTA) you will join our Cheltenham based Supply Chain on a 3.5-year rotational scheme, which will train you to be a Test Technician, fault-finding on products, down to a component level.
• You will study a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship, completing an HNC/D with Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET), at their teaching facilities in Barnwood, Gloucester.
• Teaching is typically delivered via 1-day college release, every week during term time for the duration of the course.
• You will be trained in using manual and automated test equipment, support quality and engineering investigations, and learn how to read and understanding electronic, digital and analogue circuit diagrams as well as how to raise work compliantly to ensure paperwork meets the necessary governance of the product.
• TTA’s rotate through our business, typically completing rotations through a selection of our core business units, including PCB, Avionics, Military Power, Civil Power, and Aftermarket.
• Rotations aim to give you a broader understanding of the different products and customers we work with.
• In your final year, you will typically begin to specialize in one area of the business to refine your technical competency and product knowledge.
• We want to support your personal, professional and academic development, which is why you will be given the opportunity build your network and develop soft skills.
• At GE Aerospace we see personal development as a key driver of success at a business level.
• Apprentices are also given additional time to complete ‘off the job learning’ when on site.
• We aim to arrange team building activities during non-teaching time to help continue to develop your skills.
• Our apprentice team drive their community through enrichment and team-building activities that help to connect apprentices across different schemes.
• This is with a view to giving back to the business and local community.
• You will have access to mentors and may wish to join one of GE Aerospace employee-run networks, such as Women’s network, STEM, Pride Alliance, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion.
• You will be supported by your Cohort Coach, Apprentice Manager, Rotation Managers, mentors, and the wider apprentice network, to ensure you are meeting the requirements of your course and getting the most out of your apprenticeship.
• Apprentices who complete this scheme have the skills to apply to almost any function within the Supply Chain - therefore, roll-off opportunities are not limited to a specified area.
• This apprenticeship was launched in 2023 and has been designed to train apprentices to become Test Technicians within our Manufacturing Supply Chain, based on a long-term need for more of this talent and skill set within our business.
• Our aspiration is to invest in the next generation of Test Technicians, in order to develop the skills and competencies needed to support our ever-growing business portfolio.
• Longer term, GE Aerospace offers the opportunity to continue to grow your career; many apprentice alumni from shop-floor pathways have progressed into roles such as Team Leader, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Engineer and have many alumni in Senior Leadership positions also.

Overview of the scheme

Year 1 & 2

• In year & 2 you will start your study with Gloucestershire Engineering Training at their Barnwood Campus in Gloucester, where you will attend classes and be set tasks, assignments and projects based on this teaching - referencing your workplace learning to support completion of these.
• You will also focus on your on-site placements, putting your college skills into practice.
• You’ll begin to work on foundational tasks, establishing working relationships and meeting your team and develop these to become more autonomous and take on greater responsibilities.
• You will be mentored by older apprentices and join enrichment teams.

From a qualification point of view, the schedule will look as follows:

Year 1

• 5 HNC modules

Year 2

• 3 HNC modules
• 3 HND modules

Year 3 onwards

• You will be a more integrated member of the team and will be expected to take on further responsibilities within your department, and across the apprenticeship programme.
• Your college work will focus on creating your final portfolio, based on your workplace learning and competence.
• You will begin to think about your future career with GE and the area you hope to obtain a permanent role in at the end of your apprenticeship.
• 5 HND modules
• Work on portfolio as part of your End Point Assessment (EPA)

Qualifications/Requirements

Please ensure you have achieved, or are predicted, the minimum grades below, as these are set by our academic provider. Failure to meet these grades could mean you are not eligible to join the programme.

Essential

A successful candidate would have, or be expected to achieve by the start of the apprenticeship:

• achieved, or are predicted, 4x GCSE’s (or equivalent), including Maths and English at grades C/4 or above
• Level 2 qualification equivalent to minimum of 4x GCSE, including Maths and English at grades C/4
• 3x A-Levels (or equivalent), including Maths or Engineering, at grades C or above
• Level 3 qualification (BTEC, T-Level or equivalent) in Engineering / Manufacturing

Please note, any offer of employment is conditional on successfully passing an entry exam, which we will typically ask you to complete in advance of attending an assessment day with us.

GET set this exam to ensure learners are at the right level of competence to successfully progress through the apprenticeship. GE Aerospace has no influence over content or marking of this exam.

Desired

• at least 1x STEM subject selected at Level 3
• a motivated and enthusiastic team player
• interested in technology, electronics, and process improvement
• inquisitive and willing to try new things
• focused, organised and want to learn
• a creative and innovative problem solver
• keen to seek opportunities to learn and develop

Recruitment Process

As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to submit an initial CV application. After this, the stages include a video interview an assesssment delivered by our provider and assessment centre. Our recruitment team will be in touch with you at every stage to keep you updated and understand what is next in the process.

If you require any adjustments to the process to enable you to be at your best, please email the team via [e-mail].

Please only submit one application. If you submit multiple applications, we will progress the most suitable one. If in future you are deemed to be suitable for other opportunities, we will automatically consider you for these too.

Please note our applications will close on Sunday 15th November but may close earlier dependant on application volumes. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Total Reward

At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice, and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.

As a new joiner to GE, we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs.

• Non-contributory Pension
• Life Assurance
• Group income protection
• Private medical cover
• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell

Security Clearance

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS.

Right to Work

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post.

Further, sponsorship is not available for our Early Careers opportunities. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Relocation Assistance Provided: No