Aerospace Engineering Apprentice – Level 3 Expleo

Training Provider:
Coleg Cambria

Start Date:

September 2026

Employment Type:

Full-Time Apprenticeship

Programme Length:
Typically 3 years Start

19th July – Final date to receive applications

20th– 23rd July – applications reviewed & initial screening calls/telephone interviews carried out

24th July – 6 successful applicants will be invited to an assessment day in our Chester office on Weds 29th July

31st July – Offers made

3rd August – decisions from candidates offered & college made aware to enrol

At Expleo UK, this apprenticeship gives you the chance to build real engineering experience from day one, while working towards a recognised Level 3 aircraft engineering pathway with Coleg Cambria. Based from our Chester / Saltney office, you will support live aerospace programmes and gain experience across more than one engineering route. This may include Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Quality and technical engineering support activities, depending on business requirements and placement opportunities.

This is a hands‑on route into aerospace. You do not need prior aerospace experience — what matters most is curiosity, reliability, a practical mindset and a genuine interest in how aircraft are built, improved, repaired and delivered safely.

• Paid work while you learn
• A structured Level 3 apprenticeship with Coleg Cambria, Deeside Campus
• A first‑year foundation focused on practical aircraft engineering skills and core technical knowledge
• Exposure to real aerospace engineering programmes at Expleo
• The opportunity to build skills across aircraft assembly, manufacturing, design, quality, engineering data and technical problem solving
• Support from experienced engineers, mentors and the Early Careers team
• Progression opportunities across aerospace engineering disciplines, including Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Quality and Engineering Support functions

The apprenticeship is designed to give you a broad aircraft engineering foundation first, before you build deeper workplace experience with Expleo in Years 2 and 3.

Year 1 – Foundation & Practical Skills

Your first year will focus on practical engineering operations and core aircraft engineering knowledge through Coleg Cambria. This is designed to help you build confidence, safety behaviours and the technical basics needed for aerospace work. You can expect to develop knowledge and practical skills in areas such as:

• Health and Safety, working efficiently and communicating technical information
• Aircraft detail assembly, mechanical fasteners and aircraft component assembly
• Engineering maths, aircraft materials and human factors
• Aircraft systems, theory of flight and aircraft electrical systems
• Workshop routines, measurement, tools and safe practical working

Years 2 and 3 – Applied Aerospace Engineering

As your knowledge develops, you will spend increasing time supporting Expleo aerospace programmes while continuing structured learning with Coleg Cambria. Your workplace experience may follow different routes depending on business needs and project opportunities. This could include Manufacturing Engineering activity, design‑related engineering support, quality and airworthiness work, technical investigations, aircraft systems, structures, repair or continuous improvement projects. The aim is to give you a strong aerospace engineering foundation while allowing flexibility to support both manufacturing‑focused and engineering‑support‑focused pathways.

As an Aerospace Engineering Apprentice, you will gradually learn how engineering supports aircraft programmes from concept through to build, repair, improvement and delivery.

You may be involved in:

• Supporting aerospace engineering teams on live aircraft programmes
• Learning how engineering drawings, specifications, technical data and manufacturing information are used in practice
• Supporting Manufacturing Engineering activities linked to aircraft assembly, production support and process improvement
• Supporting Design…