BAE apprentices get chance to join the jet set

THIRTY aircraft apprentices are being taken on by BAE Systems in Yorkshire to maintain some of the world’s leading fighter jets.
Claire West, a recent graduate of the academy who is now working at RAF Coningsby on Typhoon fighter jets.Claire West, a recent graduate of the academy who is now working at RAF Coningsby on Typhoon fighter jets.
Claire West, a recent graduate of the academy who is now working at RAF Coningsby on Typhoon fighter jets.

The roles will see apprentices spend their first year at the defence company’s RJ Mitchell Aircraft Maintenance Academy, which is based at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

There they will take part in a mixture of classroom-based and on-the-job training.

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They will then go on to work at one of the RAF bases where aircraft, including the RAF’s elite jet, Typhoon, are based.

The deadline for applications for these positions closes tomorrow.

Training manager Conor O’Brien said: “BAE Systems encourages and supports people to realise their full potential. Our new apprentices have the opportunity to learn from experts in their field, and get real world experience to ensure they develop the skills to support them and our Customers into the future.

“They will typically spend the first year at the academy developing their hand skills, while learning about subjects including as English, maths, physics, electronics and aerodynamics, all modules for their technical diploma.

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“In the second year, the apprentices do ‘on the job’ training, either working on fast jets or in the airworthiness support areas at either RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire or RAF Marham in Norfolk, while working towards a Level 3 NVQ.

“Not only do they have the chance to come out of their training into a highly-skilled, well-paid job, they also come out with qualifications, skills and experience of working on an aircraft to ensure they can do the job.”

BAE Systems, which has bases throughout the country, is taking on a record 568 apprentices in 2014, the highest intake in its history, and 181 more than it offered in 2013.