Apprentice - Aircraft Maintenance Heathrow Autumn

Duration: 3 Years

Salary: Salary will be from £16,000 in year 1, increasing to a minimum £26,000 in year 2 plus shift pay if eligible.

Location: London Heathrow

Application Closing Date: 19th November 2026

Start Date: Autumn 2027

The programme

You’ll work alongside and learn from some incredibly talented engineers. Every day, you’ll develop your skills on real aircraft, in a real job. Over a series of placements, you’ll work on all our aircraft fleets, gaining the experience and knowhow to help keep them in perfect working order. As well as comprehensive on-the-job training, you’ll be studying towards the qualifications you need to become one of our future Aircraft Maintenance Technicians.

The initial induction to the business for this Apprenticeship will take place at our London Heathrow base. For the majority of the first year, you will be based off-site and living away from home where you will train and study towards your CAA Part-66 Category A Licence Modules under the Apprenticeship Standard ST1315 Aircraft Engineering Technician Level 3 (Regulated Route). During your time away from Heathrow, we will provide complimentary accommodation for you close to your training base. We will support you whilst off site holding regular review meetings with you and your learning provider.

For years two and three, you will return to our Heathrow Base to work alongside our engineers with the potential to be placed in one of our other UK operational bases in year 3. Comprehensive safety training will be delivered at Heathrow before you commence your placements. We will continue to support your development with regular 1:1 meetings, and progress reviews with your learning provider. You’ll continue to study towards CAA Part-66 Category A Licence Modules and your End Point Assessment. Please note: For those aged 18 and over when based at Heathrow in years two and three, work will follow a 12-hour shift pattern — days (from 06:00), nights (from 18:00), or a mix of both — on a 4 on / 4 off rotation.

About You

We are looking for a minimum of a grade 5 (B) in Maths, Physics or Combined Science GCSE with English at grade 9 – 4 (A* - C), we accept predicted grades, but they must be achieved before starting the apprenticeship. A strong communicator with an awareness for safety, a self-starter and the ability to adapt to change. Above all, a genuine passion for engineering and aviation.

If you are already studying towards or have studied an engineering qualification, you are welcome to apply. Following your application, we will conduct a skills scan of your experience and prior qualifications to check your eligibility for apprenticeship funding.

What's in it for you?

Looking to join our apprenticeship scheme? You won't be disappointed. Recently being ranked in the Rate My Apprenticeship Top 100, we can't wait to welcome you into the British Airways family.

We have many benefits for apprentices at British Airways, here are a handful to showcase the diversity of our apprentice community:

• Part of the British Airways apprentice network and community, with the opportunity to engage with apprentices from all schemes in the business and learn from former apprentices

• Involvement in our ambitious sustainability vision, volunteering an active role to champion specific community groups including LGBTQ+ 'Flying Proud' and black excellence 'BeMe'

• Involvement in Community Investment programmes, taking part in fundraising challenges for partnership charities, supporting causes close to your heart

• Volunteering in schools and colleges sharing personal experiences to inspire, motivate and coach students and support their potential to gain employment in the industry we love

• In addition, you will have access to heavily discounted flights to globe trot (with the opportunity to fly in style in our business class seats), and a generous annual leave entitlement to turn your bucket list into reality

Your first steps towards a career in Aircraft Engineering & Maintenance

This Apprenticeship could be your first step into a long and varied career within Aircraft Engineering & Maintenance. During the three year programme you will achieved your 16 CAA A-Licence Modules and your Level 3 Aircraft Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship, allowing you to apply for Aircraft Mechanic roles, and begin your journey to progress towards becoming an A-Licence Aircraft Technician.

Further Information & Next Steps

We are delighted you are considering applying! Here’s some more information you may need about the application process:

• All sections of your application need to be complete, including all online tests, by the deadline given

• Due to high volumes of applications, you may only apply for one apprenticeship programme. We would recommend for you to read about each apprenticeship scheme before applying as only your first application will be considered

• If you are successful with the initial application, you will be invited to complete a short video interview within a given timeframe

• Across all stages of the application process, if you fail to submit by the deadline, your application will be automatically withdrawn

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

Timelines Recruitment Process and Timelines

• Step 1 – Click apply to visit our Discover & Prep hub. You will need to complete a Pre-Application Task before you apply.
• Step 2 - Once you have completed the activities on our Discover & Prep hub, you can begin your application.
• Step 3 – Once your application has been submitted, you will be invited to complete some online assessments.
• Step 4 – Successful candidates will then be invited to complete a Video Interview to assess your motivation and fit for the role. You will be invited to this stage in November.
• Step 5 - If you reach the final stage, you will be invited to Waterside for an Assessment Centre. This is due to be in January 2027.

We recognise that AI tools can assist in writing and editing, helping to improve your grammar and overall style, however it's important to consider that reliance on AI tools can lead to applications sounding inauthentic. At British Airways we want your personality to shine through, therefore, we recommend avoiding the use of AI to increase the success of your application.