Engineering Apprentice

Heathrow Engineering Apprenticeship Programme

• Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. This role will close earlier than the advertised date if we reach capacity.
• Modern Advanced Apprenticeship Programme or Accelerated Apprenticeship programme
• Please ensure you complete all the application questions as incomplete applications will not be considered.

About Engineering at Heathrow :

Engineering at Heathrow is unlike engineering at any other organisation. With thousands of passengers arriving and departing through our four active terminals each day, the sheer scale and scope of what our 650-strong team deliver and manage is immense. A city within a city, Heathrow teems with thousands of employees, all striving to achieve one common goal: making every journey better.

With so much going on at any one time, it’s vital that we keep everything running smoothly and that is why our engineers are so critical to our success. We simply couldn’t open the doors without them. We deliver maintenance and engineering delivery to an asset base of more than 500,000 different systems; from rail systems to reservoirs, airbridges to passenger screening, from terminal facilities to runway lighting control.

Our Engineering team work on all the things that help us to function. Not only that, but we encourage our engineers to move around the airport and develop diverse skills at the cutting edge of technology. So, you wont just be keeping Heathrow moving; you will be keeping your career moving too.

Our scheme provides training in electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems as you help to keep Heathrow working.

The Apprenticeship:

At Heathrow we’ve been offering Engineering Apprenticeships for over 45 years. Over 50% of our current Engineering workforce have completed our apprenticeship, with over 98% of graduating apprentices being offered a permanent position at Heathrow.

Through our apprenticeship you’ll be shaping a career and gaining valuable on-the-job experience to develop into a qualified, multi-skilled Technician. The programme offers the necessary accredited training, guidance, and support to develop the skills you’ll need to establish yourself in your engineering career.

During your apprenticeship, you’ll be part of multiple high-performing teams responsible for maintaining the critical engineering infrastructure at Heathrow. You’ll develop a diverse skillset as you learn from experienced colleagues and build your technical expertise whilst keeping the program dynamic and personal to your interests and skills. Both programmes will result in you being trained to a high level of competence with an externally accredited apprenticeship programme. Our programmes contain NVQ levels 2 and 3 and offer further education opportunities including, but not limited to, an HNC/D and BEng Foundation Degree.

Our two schemes :

As we build back post pandemic we have an opportunity to welcome career returners or those who may have previously studied Engineering but their career has since taken a different path, as well as those who may be choosing an engineering route for the first time in their career. With this in mind we offer two schemes:

Modern Advanced Apprenticeship

Our long standing classic scheme for those with no previous engineering experience or only Level 1 (or equivalent) accreditation. This scheme comprises of up to four years of training including the first year off site at our preferred expert provider where the apprentices are taught practical skills in electrical, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatics, mechanical, controls, fabrication and welding. They also commence their National Certificate in Engineering. Once complete they join our engineering teams on site and rotate around an array of engineering sections working alongside our talented technicians. During this phase you will complete an NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance and a large amount of bespoke safe systems of work accreditation training as well as a Level 3 City and Guilds, HNC or even foundation degree (you choose the Further Education route you prefer).

Accelerated Apprenticeship Scheme

Perhaps you have previously worked as a single skilled trades person or you studied engineering at college or university but have never had the opportunity to put your skills into practice in the workplace? If this is you and you would like to understand how we can add to your skills through our accelerated scheme then please do apply. Each training plan is different dependent upon your current qualifications and skill set but an accelerated apprenticeship will last between 18 months and 3 years. You will be supported to achieve an NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance and train alongside our technicians across the wide range of engineering disciplines we have here at Heathrow. Please ensure you include all of your existing training certificates and unit details when applying so we can give you an informed insight into your training plan at interview.

Who we are looking for:

We’re looking for committed, eager and driven individuals, willing to learn on a structured programme. You must also have the motivation to work in an ever-changing environment, enjoy problem solving.

To qualify for our Modern Advanced Apprenticeship scheme, you will need:

• GCSEs, you must have a grade 5 (C) or above in Maths and minimum a grade 4 in Science, English and any additional subject.
• Or an equivalent NVQ or Level 1/2 Engineering foundation qualification.

To qualify for our Accelerated Apprenticeship Scheme, you will need:

• A level 2 or 3 Engineering qualification: City and Guilds, ONC, National Certificate, Higher National Certificate, Foundation degree or Engineering Degree (with practical units).

You must be aged 16 or over and be willing to work in a shift-based role once you turn 18. You must be able to start the programme 1 st September 2023 and attend Kingston College in year 1.

We’ll be looking for evidence of teamwork, problem solving and aiming high through your studies and beyond.

The application process for the Engineering Apprenticeship programme will be screening questions, a selection of online tests and an interview.

Any offer is conditional based on completing referencing and passing a medical test.