Aircraft Fitter (Operations) Apprentice

In this hands-on role, you’ll be part of a team delivering the future - building parts, testing components, and working with powerful tech and tools - don’t worry, we’ll teach you how! You will gain real transferable skills that matter, from assembling complex aerospace components to turning complex ideas into reality. Your work helps aircraft take flight - it’s exciting, practical, and open to everyone, who has the desire to become a skilled aircraft fitter. If you enjoy problem solving, teamwork, and making things happen, this is your launch pad to a powerful future.

Our four-year Apprenticeship Programme, at our East Cowes facility, is your chance to dive into the world of cutting-edge manufacturing and engineering - no experience needed. You’ll learn by doing, get paid while you train, and grow your skills alongside experienced colleagues who will support you all the way.

At GKN Aerospace, in partnership with the Isle of Wight College and working in conjunction with the Level 3 Aerospace Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard (Aerospace Fitting Technician Pathway), we’ll teach you the skills you need to succeed - combining classroom learning with hands-on experience in real, industry-focused environments. With our expert support, your curiosity, and a can-do attitude, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

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 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation 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.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you will have achieved:

• Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Foundation Competence)
• Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge) (BTEC)
• Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace Manufacturing
• A nationally recognised Level 3 Aerospace Engineering Technician Apprenticeship certificate

Once qualified, our Aircraft Fitter (Operations) 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

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).

Note: please apply for one role only. Please use a personal email address for your application, rather than a school or parental email address. A cover letter is strongly recommended.

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 and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.