Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship

As a Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice (MEA), you will join our Cheltenham based Supply Chain, on a 4-year rotational scheme that will enable you to understand end-to-end manufacturing processes, through the lens of a Manufacturing Engineer. You will learn the skills required to aid and improve our shop floor processes using ‘Lean’ principles. A key element of the program will also be learning techniques to make you an adept problem solver, whilst also being involved in new equipment purchases and integration to help us sustain our competitive advantage.

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.

As a Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice (MEA) you will join our Cheltenham based Supply Chain on a 4-year rotational scheme. 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.

Some of the typical modules that will be delivered during the apprenticeship include:

• Managing a professional project
• Implementing quality improvement processes
• Sustainability
• Lean manufacturing, and more

These learnings are underpinned with Electrical, Digital, and Mechanical principles.

• 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 specialise in one area of the business to refine your technical competencies 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.
• 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, and have many alumni in Senior Leadership positions also.

Year 1 and 2

In year 1 you will start your studies, 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. For the first three months of your apprenticeship you will be based at college full-time during term time, and then you will move to day release. This will support you to gain a basic level of practical skills required for life in role, creating a solid foundation to build from.

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

Year 1

• 5 HNC modules

Year 2

• 3 HNC modules
• 3…