Engineering Apprentice
THE SHUTTLEWORTH TRUST
BEDS (SG18 9EA)
Closes on Monday 2 March 2026
Posted on 6 January 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you passionate about aircraft and eager to learn how they work? This exciting apprenticeship puts you at the heart of vintage aviation, giving you the chance to help maintain and restore historic aircraft. If you’re curious, motivated and ready to start a career in engineering, this opportunity is made for you!
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Aircraft maintenance technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday between 8:00am to 5:00pm (with some weekend Air Shows throughout the summer).
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
4 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
The Shuttleworth Collection are looking for an engaged and enthusiastic engineering apprentice to join their engineering training scheme. Successful applicants will work to achieve a Level 3 Aircraft Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship alongside extensive experience within our engineering team, caring for our world-renowned collection of airworthy aircraft from 1909–1950.
The Shuttleworth Collection operates the most diverse fleet of working vintage aircraft and vehicles in the world. Their professional aero engineering team carries out all aspects of vintage aircraft operation: maintenance, repair, overhaul, restoration and parts fabrication on many airframe and engine types. The airframes vary in construction from: fabric covered, wood and wire braced to aluminium semi-monocoques. Engines include: light, air-cooled 2/3 cylinder examples from the dawn of flight to the mighty 1500HP WWII, liquid-cooled, V12s.
This fantastic opportunity will see you join Shuttleworth’s Aero engineering team where, over the course of four years, you will learn how to:
- Prepare aircraft for flight and assist with the groundside operation of aircraft, at air displays for example
- Inspect, service and maintain aircraft in airworthy condition
- Diagnose defects and assess them against airworthiness criteria
- Work with current airworthiness standards and maintain airworthiness records
You will also learn repair and fabrication techniques in a variety of engineering materials as well as be involved with the overhaul and restoration of engines, airframes and components. The work is wide-ranging and therefore candidates must be adaptable, hardworking, possess excellent motor skills and keen to learn multiple disciplines. In return, you will have a unique learning experience from a world-class team.
Where you'll work
OLD WARDEN PARK
BIGGLESWADE
BEDS
SG18 9EA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BEDFORD COLLEGE
Training course
Aircraft maintenance technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Collect and interpret information or data to perform maintenance tasks.
- Record or enter information: paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any reporting requirements.
- Comply with health and safety regulations and procedures. Apply safe systems of work. For example, risk assessments, COSHH, tool control and use of equipment and tools.
- Identify problems, collect evidence, analyse evidence, and determine the cause and maintenance activity required.
- Plan, organise and use resources to complete tasks.
- Follow instructions. For example, manufacturers and maintenance procedures.
- Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Apply mathematical techniques and engineering principles to solve engineering problems.
- Apply maintenance methods and practices. For example, remove, refit, replace, repair, systems or components.
- Test and check aircraft equipment or aircraft systems. For example, built in test equipment, flight control systems, line replacement units or items.
- Assess condition of aircraft components and aircraft equipment. Identify action required. For example, visual inspections.
- Select, check, use, store and control tools and equipment. For example, ground support equipment or test equipment.
- Apply good housekeeping, for example, prior to, during and after completion of the activity to the work area.
- Use information technology. For example, for document creation, communication, and information management. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing.
- Consider the properties and characteristics of aircraft materials and the possibility of damage to aircraft whilst performing the activity. For example, barely visible impact damage.
- Select aircraft consumables for carrying out maintenance activity.
- Carry out pre-use checks of resources and ensure sufficient supplies of materials and consumables for maintenance activity.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion policies and procedures.
- Apply quality assurance procedures. For example, completion of aircraft servicing schedules or aircraft technical logs.
- Apply team working principles.
- Collect and interpret information or data to perform maintenance tasks.
- Record or enter information: paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any reporting requirements.
- Comply with health and safety regulations and procedures. Apply safe systems of work. For example, risk assessments, COSHH, tool control and use of equipment and tools.
- Identify problems, collect evidence, analyse evidence, and determine the cause and maintenance activity required.
- Plan, organise and use resources to complete tasks.
- Follow instructions. For example, manufacturers and maintenance procedures.
- Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Apply mathematical techniques and engineering principles to solve engineering problems.
- Apply maintenance methods and practices. For example, remove, refit, replace, repair, systems or components.
- Test and check aircraft equipment or aircraft systems. For example, built in test equipment, flight control systems, line replacement units or items.
- Assess condition of aircraft components and aircraft equipment. Identify action required. For example, visual inspections.
- Select, check, use, store and control tools and equipment. For example, ground support equipment or test equipment.
- Apply good housekeeping, for example, prior to, during and after completion of the activity to the work area.
- Use information technology. For example, for document creation, communication, and information management. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing.
- Consider the properties and characteristics of aircraft materials and the possibility of damage to aircraft whilst performing the activity. For example, barely visible impact damage.
- Select aircraft consumables for carrying out maintenance activity.
- Carry out pre-use checks of resources and ensure sufficient supplies of materials and consumables for maintenance activity.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion policies and procedures.
- Apply quality assurance procedures. For example, completion of aircraft servicing schedules or aircraft technical logs.
- Apply team working principles.
Training schedule
You will be enroled on a Level 3 Aircraft Maintenance Technician apprenticeship, where you’ll work towards a nationally recognised qualification while gaining experience alongside experienced engineers. Training will combine classroom-based learning with practical workplace training, helping you build a strong understanding of aircraft systems, safety, and maintenance standards.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Patience
Other requirements
You will need a full drivers licence and access to your own transport.
About this employer
A year-round visitor attraction in the heart of Bedfordshire, Old Warden aerodrome is one of the only remaining grass airfields in the country. The visitor attraction is made up of the Collection, Swiss Garden, Shuttleworth House, and extensive surrounding Parkland. It also boasts an on-site café.
As well as daily visitation, Shuttleworth offers regular events, including a summer air show season that welcomes around 29,000 visitors each year, family and commercial events, private hire opportunities and weddings.
As an educational charity, we are proud to offer a range of learning opportunities to schools and colleges. Our engineering apprenticeship programme has led to many of our in-house engineering team working with us for many years.
After this apprenticeship
On completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to progress into a permanent engineering role within the Shuttleworth Collection.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BEDFORD COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005234.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 2 March 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.