Craft Apprenticeship

Job Description:

✈️ Apprentice Aircraft Fitter

Prestwick AeroSystems | Ayrshire

Build aircraft. Build your future.

Prestwick AeroSystems is one of Ayrshire’s largest employers and part of the wider Airbus family of companies. From our site in Prestwick, we manufacture and assemble wing components for Airbus aircraft, supporting planes that fly all over the world.

We are now recruiting Apprentice Aircraft Fitters — people who want to learn a skilled trade and build a long-term career as a qualified fitter.

Who can apply?

This opportunity is open to everyone who is interested in practical, hands-on work.

You do not need previous experience. We are looking for people who:

• Enjoy working with their hands
• Are keen to learn new skills
• Care about accuracy and quality
• Work well as part of a team

We work in partnership with Ayrshire College, combining college learning with real experience in an aerospace manufacturing environment.

What you will learn

As an Apprentice Fitter, you will be trained to:

• Assemble and fit Airbus wing structures
• Use specialist tools and equipment safely
• Read drawings and follow detailed instructions
• Work to the very high standards required in aerospace

Why Prestwick AeroSystems?

• One of Ayrshire’s biggest and most established employers
• A trusted Airbus affiliate, working on world-class aircraft
• A clear route into a permanent fitter role
• Support and mentoring from experienced fitters
• A skilled trade you can be proud of

What you will receive

• A structured, paid apprenticeship
• College training with Ayrshire College
• Industry-recognised qualifications
• Real experience building aircraft parts used worldwide

Who can apply

This apprenticeship is open to people who are interested in practical, hands-on work and want to build a long-term career in aerospace manufacturing.

You do not need previous trade or engineering experience.
 

Qualifications and Entry Requirements

Applicants must have, or be working towards, the following at National 5 level (Grades A–C):

• National 5 English
• National 5 Mathematics
   

Plus, TWO of the following at Grades (A-C) made up of:

One of:

• National 5 Design & Manufacture
• PEO Aeronautical Engineering

And one of:

• National 5 Physics
• National 5 Practical Metalworking

• Application of Math’s is not acceptable
   

Apprenticeship Structure

This is a 4-year, structured apprenticeship, delivered in partnership with Ayrshire College:

• Year 1: Full-time college study completing the PEO in Aeronautical Engineering
• Years 2–4: Full-time employment within the business, working on the shop floor and developing hands-on aircraft fitting skills

All apprentices start together and progress through the programme as a cohort.

Personal Statement (200 words)

As part of your application, please include a short personal statement (around 200 words) covering:

• A bit about you
• Why you want to work with Prestwick AeroSystems
• What you feel you would bring to the role and the team
• What you hope to gain from the apprenticeship

This doesn’t need to be perfect or technical — we’re interested in your motivation, attitude, and potential.

If you want a practical career with real skills and long-term opportunities, this could be the start of something special.

Apply via the Airbus careers website

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

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Your application data will be processed by Prestwick Aerosystems and other companies under the control of Airbus for all necessary hiring, vetting, and security checks. This processing is required to assess your suitability for employment. For full details on how and why Airbus uses your data, please see our Privacy Notice.

Prestwick Aerosystems is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

As a part of Airbus, Prestwick Aerosystems is committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Prestwick Aerosystems or Airbus to do so should be reported to [email protected].

At Prestwick Aerosystems, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.