Operational Leadership Apprenticeship
GKN AEROSPACE SERVICES LIMITED
Isle Of Wight (PO32 6RA)
Closes on Tuesday 10 February 2026
Posted on 10 December 2025
Contents
Summary
Some exciting opportunities for Operational Leadership Apprentices have become available at our world-class aerospace manufacturing facility in East Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.
In this leadership role, you’ll be part of a team delivering the future - managing a team to deliver excellence in all areas of their work.
- 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
- Operations manager (level 5)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday 8am to 4.30pm.
Friday 8am to 1pm
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Thursday 3 September 2026
- Duration
-
4 years
- Positions available
-
2
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
- Whilst learning a wide range of leadership and management skills, our four-year programme will provide you with all the development and training that you need to get your career in Operations Management off to a flying start!
- With a mixture of both classroom and on-the-job training, you will develop towards becoming a leader of people, helping GKN achieve its goals in the short, medium and long term. This will require a great deal of determination and resilience
- During the apprenticeship program, you will rotate around a number of different departments within the business
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
Operations manager (level 5)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Communicate and present information to stakeholders using different types of media.
- Identify problems and provide solutions.
- Manage and set goals and accountabilities for individuals and teams.
- Analyse performance data for individuals and teams to identify areas for improvement.
- Manage and influence project activity to deliver within budget and resource requirements.
- Lead and influence the team and individuals to support an inclusive culture of equity, diversity, and the promotion of well-being.
- Motivate team members and individuals through collaborative activities, for example one-to-one coaching and team meetings, to achieve organisational goals.
- Use digital tools to analyse information and monitor performance and budgets to drive the implementation and delivery of plans and projects.
- Research, interpret and analyse information to inform the implementation of business plans or projects.
- Evaluate the impact of outcomes from organisational plans or projects to drive the decision-making process.
- Interpret and implement the practical application of regulation, legislation and organisational policies for stakeholders.
- Manage continuous improvement and change for their team and organisation.
- Analyse and prioritise organisation activities in response to the operating environment.
- Implement business continuity plans, including risk assessment, contingency planning and disaster recovery, to ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical functions.
- Identify and respond to external factors that may influence the future landscape and evaluate their impact on the organisation.
- Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to shape and agree goals and outcomes.
- Manage relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders.
- Deliver sustainable services and solutions which allow the organisation to respond to changes in social, economic and environmental factors.
- Manage and facilitate learning and continuous professional development for their team.
- Coach and mentor individuals within their team.
- Develop and implement operational plans that align with the strategic direction of the organisation.
- Communicate and present information to stakeholders using different types of media.
- Identify problems and provide solutions.
- Manage and set goals and accountabilities for individuals and teams.
- Analyse performance data for individuals and teams to identify areas for improvement.
- Manage and influence project activity to deliver within budget and resource requirements.
- Lead and influence the team and individuals to support an inclusive culture of equity, diversity, and the promotion of well-being.
- Motivate team members and individuals through collaborative activities, for example one-to-one coaching and team meetings, to achieve organisational goals.
- Use digital tools to analyse information and monitor performance and budgets to drive the implementation and delivery of plans and projects.
- Research, interpret and analyse information to inform the implementation of business plans or projects.
- Evaluate the impact of outcomes from organisational plans or projects to drive the decision-making process.
- Interpret and implement the practical application of regulation, legislation and organisational policies for stakeholders.
- Manage continuous improvement and change for their team and organisation.
- Analyse and prioritise organisation activities in response to the operating environment.
- Implement business continuity plans, including risk assessment, contingency planning and disaster recovery, to ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical functions.
- Identify and respond to external factors that may influence the future landscape and evaluate their impact on the organisation.
- Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to shape and agree goals and outcomes.
- Manage relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders.
- Deliver sustainable services and solutions which allow the organisation to respond to changes in social, economic and environmental factors.
- Manage and facilitate learning and continuous professional development for their team.
- Coach and mentor individuals within their team.
- Develop and implement operational plans that align with the strategic direction of the organisation.
Training schedule
In order to gain a thorough understanding of our products, processes, roles and people within the business, throughout your apprenticeship you will rotate around a number of departments, including but not limited to: Operations (Manufacturing), Lean (Continuous Improvement), Procurement and Supply Chain Management. They will allow you to evidence the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of your Apprenticeship Standard, whilst developing your leadership ability.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will work towards and achieve a Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship and progress onto a Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 6 or above)
- Maths (grade 6 or above)
A Level 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
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
On completion of your apprenticeship, you are likely to move into a Team Leader within Manufacturing Operations, or equivalent role.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004776.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 10 February 2026
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