Engineering Technical Apprenticeship

GKN AEROSPACE SERVICES LIMITED

Isle Of Wight (PO32 6RA)

Closes on Tuesday 10 February 2026

Posted on 10 December 2025


Summary

Working in conjunction with either a Level 3, 4 or 6 Technical Apprenticeship Standard, you will work across a wide range of engineering departments, learning new skills and processes. Our four-year  programmes will provide you with all the training that you need to get your career in aerospace manufacturing off to a flying start!

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

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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 technician (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

14

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

With a mixture of both classroom and on-the-job training, you will be involved in delivering opportunities, solutions and benefits to the GKN operations site based on data driven analysis and the ability to understand complex situations. This will require a great deal of adaptability and flexibility. 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 or Level 4 HNC in Engineering, depending on which level you join at. Your second year will be completed as day release in Year two. Years two to four will be spent rotating through different engineering areas of the business (including design, stress, manufacturing, Industrialisation and quality engineering) gaining technical experience and expanding your knowledge.

You will also undertake a Development Competence Qualification in Years two and three.

(Note: Level 6 plan in work).

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 technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Training schedule

  • Level 2 Diploma in Engineering
  • Level 3 BTEC in Engineering OR Level 4 HNC in Engineering
  • Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace Manufacturing
  • A nationally recognised Level 3 Aerospace Engineering Technician
  • Apprenticeship certificate OR Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship certificate
  • (Level 6 to be confirmed).

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 and above (C and above))
  • Maths (grade 4 and above (C and above))
  • three further subjects (grade 4 and above (C and above))

A Level in:

  • 2 x Eng related subjects (for Lvl 4 & 6 entry) (grade A* - C)
  • Maths (for Level 4 & 6 entry) (grade A* - C)

BTEC in:

Engineering related subject (for Lvl 4 & 6 entry) (grade Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

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.

https://www.gknaerospace.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

On completion of your apprenticeship, you are likely to move into one of the following career disciplines:

Manufacturing Engineering (ME)

This covers a number of sub-disciplines including:

  • Product and Planning – Developing manufacturing process solutions and problem solving technical issues;
  • Materials and Processes – Understanding a range of different materials, their properties and processes;
  • Quality Engineering – Ensuring both internal and external requirements are met
  • Industrial Engineering –Introducing new plant, equipment, technology and automation
  • Tooling – Developing and designing tooling solutions and measurement and analysis of close tolerance components and tools
  • Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) – Creating Numerical Controlled (NC) programs for a range of machines

Design Engineering

This involves the design of component parts and assemblies for various aircraft structures (Composite and Metallic). Design is via our CAD package CATIA, creating 3D models / assemblies and 2D drawings or model based definition (MBD).

Structural Analysis

This provides an opportunity to develop a knowledge of the stress analysis calculations, computer modelling techniques, and testing used to demonstrate the strength and durability of aircraft components and assemblies.

Quality Systems

This involves the understanding and implementation of the regulatory requirements placed on the company by the airworthiness authorities. Maintaining the approval to manufacture aerospace products is done by monitoring, measuring and reporting in all departments activities, identifying opportunities for improvement that can then be implemented.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004751.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 10 February 2026

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