Advanced Operations (Craft) Apprenticeship
GKN AEROSPACE SERVICES LIMITED
Isle Of Wight (PO32 6RA)
Closes on Tuesday 10 February 2026
Posted on 10 December 2025
Contents
Summary
Working in conjunction with the new Level 3 Aerospace Engineering Technician Standard, and working across a wide range of manufacturing processes within our many production areas, our four-year programme will provide you with all the development and training that you need to get your career in aerospace manufacturing off to a flying start!
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Competitive salary, increasing each year. Benefits include company pension, sickness benefits, workwear and PPE provided and local and national discounts (including ferries)
- Training course
- Engineering fitter (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday.
Shifts to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Thursday 3 September 2026
- Duration
-
4 years
- Positions available
-
15
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
You will have a mixture of both classroom and on-the-job training in the workplace. Your first year will be spent at CECAMM, the Isle of Wight College's Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine where you will undertake a Level 2 NVQ in Engineering and the first year of your Level 3 BTEC in Engineering. Your second year will be completed as day release in Year two. Years two to four will be spent on the shopfloor rotating around different departments and contracts.
You will also undertake a Level 3 NVQ in Aeronautical Engineering in Years two and three.
Where you'll work
Ferry Road
East Cowes
Isle Of Wight
PO32 6RA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE
Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
Training schedule
- Level 2 Diploma in Engineering
- Level 3 BTEC in Engineering
- Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace Manufacturing
- A nationally recognised Level 3 Aerospace Engineering Technician Apprenticeship certificate
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
Other requirements
PLEASE ALSO NOTE the position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we do assess each case individually).
About this employer
Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities. GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers. There are no limits to where you can take your career. Together as “one GKN” we’re moving our business and industry forward developing technologies that rapidly decarbonise aircraft, and innovating to help build a new generation of planes that produce zero emissions.
After this apprenticeship
Once qualified, our Advanced Operations (Craft) Apprentices are then likely to move into the following career discipline:
Aircraft Fitter - Skilled aircraft fitters play a key role in putting together essential components and sub-assemblies that then go onto the aircraft at our customers’ final assembly lines. Aircraft Fitters work to engineering instructions and drawings and will use a range of skills including:
- Drilling, reaming and countersinking
- Installing a range of different fasteners
- Applying sealants
- Functional testing of mechanical systems
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004747.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 10 February 2026
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