Craft Plant Apprenticeship - Aerostructures

Start date:

September 2027

Location:

Belfast
Duration: 36 months
Closing date for applications: 20th December 2026
Salary: A competitive starting salary of £16,632.00
36 hours per week // Pension scheme // Success share // Plus many more flexible benefits! // Fridays afternoon off

Ready to build the wings that lift the world? Join Airbus as a Craft Engineering Apprentice at our site in Belfast and play a vital role in manufacturing the wings and the mid fuselage for our A220 aircraft. This 36‑month programme 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 centre of excellence for A220 wing manufacturing and a production hub for the A220 mid fuselage, our Belfast site delivers over 70 wing sets each year.

Our apprenticeship programme is 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 157,000 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 fitters and engineers to support you to complete the work safely and efficiently.

As a Craft Apprentice you’ll immerse yourself for the first 12 months of the programme learning the foundational skills required for building aircraft. While completing your academic studies the course will also cover an element of mechanical fitting activities. This programme is designed to equip you with valuable qualifications and competencies to work directly on aircraft components. This 36‑month apprenticeship is structured to maximise your learning and impact:

• NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations;
• Level 2 Academic Qualification;
• Level 2 Essential Skills.

Year 2 and 3:
Your Learning Takes Flight at Belfast! Building on your foundational knowledge, you'll join our world‑class team at the Airbus Belfast site. Here, you'll apply your skills directly to live aircraft projects. Your varied tasks will require a range of technical skills. This will include:

• Preparation & Setup:
  This involves meticulously cleaning, sanding, and masking surfaces to ensure proper adhesion and a flawless finish. It also includes accurately mixing paints and preparing spray equipment according to specifications.
• Application & Quality:
  Skillfully applying multiple, even coats of paint using precise techniques, while monitoring environmental conditions. A crucial part of the role is inspecting the finish for quality, making adjustments, and performing touch‑ups, all while strictly adhering to safety protocols and equipment maintenance.
• Fitting Activities – This would include a placement in our single aisle and wide body business areas to perform fitting activities in our wing box production areas, these activities will include drilling and installing fasteners.

You’ll continue your academic studies on day release, working towards:

• Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma (Aeronautical Engineering);
• Level 3 Academic Certificate.

Upon successful completion of your 36‑month apprenticeship, you’ll become a Skilled Fitter, specialising in the assembly of both metallic and composite components to produce the wing box structure and the mid fuselage section of…