Year 1: During your first year you will spend Semester 1 (September to January) full-time studying at Weston College. In Semester 2 (February to June) you will start to spend 2 days per week onsite at Airbus Filton, with the other days at Weston college.
Years 2 and 3: Time to put your learning to action!
In second and third years, you will be on-site at Airbus Filton. As a Structures Test Apprentice, you will support the delivery of critical test campaigns by working on a wide range of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation tasks. You will learn practical skills and technical knowledge across two key areas:
Year 4: Apprentices will be based in their place of work on a full-time basis
Core Activities (Common to Both Roles):
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Machining tasks using lathes, mills, and surface grinders to modify or create simple components.
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Mechanical assembly of test specimens, rigs, and hydraulic systems – from small component tests to full aircraft wing evaluations.
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Installation of test instrumentation including sensors, inclinometers, string potentiometers, and high-speed cameras.
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Use of metrology techniques to perform precise physical measurements.
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Cable manufacture and creation of bespoke connectors.
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Installing and commissioning control and data acquisition systems.
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Participating in laboratory-based activities and supporting the test lifecycle from preparation to execution.
Role-Specific Focus Areas:
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General Test Operations Role:
This position will provide broader exposure across all structural testing activities. You’ll rotate through various disciplines and support the full test process—from component manufacturing to test execution and data acquisition—gaining a comprehensive understanding of how large aerospace structures are evaluated.
2.
Calibration-Focused Role:
This position has a strong focus on metrology and calibration activities. You will work closely with our calibration engineers to ensure all measurement and test equipment is functioning accurately and meets regulatory standards. Responsibilities include:
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Performing calibrations on instruments such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, pressure gauges, and temperature sensors.
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Maintaining and updating calibration records and databases.
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Troubleshooting and repairing faulty equipment.
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Developing and optimising software-based calibration procedures.
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Ensuring compliance with quality management systems such as ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025.
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Supporting development of new calibration techniques and procedures.
Note: Both roles offer opportunities to travel to other Airbus sites (e.g., Hamburg, Toulouse) and external suppliers to provide support and gain international experience.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will:
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Gain real-world experience working alongside industry experts in a high-tech environment.
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Build a blend of mechanical and electrical skills relevant to testing, calibration, and instrumentation.
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Develop professionally through structured training, academic learning, and hands-on projects.
As you progress, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in areas aligned with your interests—whether that’s mechanical testing, data acquisition, or advanced calibration and metrology.