Aerospace engineering is a fairly competitive environment, particularly if you want to work for a major name in the industry. One route into the sector is via an apprenticeship, as opposed to completing a university degree. If you’re unsure which would be most suitable for you, read on to find out more about what an apprenticeship involves and how it can help add value to the aerospace industry.
There are numerous types of engineering apprenticeships in the aerospace industry. Just a few examples include manufacturing engineering, process or systems engineering, and electrical engineering. In short, there’s essentially an apprenticeship scheme for pretty much any sector of aerospace you wish to enter.
Better yet, many of the major industry players offer apprenticeship schemes, although they might not have a scheme in the area of aerospace you wish to pursue. For example, Airbus covers fields such as electrical and mechanical engineering, and BAE offers schemes in areas such as maintenance and software engineering.
Of course, there are plenty of other companies that offer apprenticeship schemes, such as Airframe Designs. With a bit of research, you should be able to find a suitable programme in the area of aerospace engineering you wish to pursue.
There are two main ways into a career in aerospace: an apprenticeship or a university degree. Some more specialist areas will require a degree over an apprenticeship, but the latter is often a good way into the industry if you know the sector you want to enter. A degree, on the other hand, can give you a bit more time to think about your specialism.
Aside from this difference, there are many benefits to doing an apprenticeship. One of the most obvious is that it gets you a foot in the door far earlier, as you’ll do on-the-job training with an aerospace company. Typically, this leads to employment at the end of the apprenticeship, although this depends on the specific contract.
But this leads to another major benefit: earning money. Apprenticeships are paid, allowing you to take home a wage while getting real-world experience with actual engineering companies. Practical experience is arguably one of the biggest selling points of an apprenticeship, especially in something like engineering.
The impact of apprentices on the future of the aerospace industry is as wide-ranging as the industry itself. Nothing is stopping a qualified apprentice from setting up their own aerospace company or taking on contracts from major players. These sorts of outcomes aren’t reserved for only degree-educated engineers – skills and experience are the most important criteria for success, after all.
Of course, this isn’t meant to say one route is better than the other when it comes to working in aerospace. The most suitable option comes down to the individual, their preferred learning methods, and how certain they are about their specialism.
For example, if you like theoretical knowledge, a degree might be better. On the other hand, if you prefer hands-on learning with less classroom time, an apprenticeship is the more obvious choice. Both options are vital to the future of the aerospace industry, and apprenticeships have the potential to add major value to both the individual and the companies they work for.
If you’re looking for advice for an apprenticeship or are looking for a role in the aerospace industry get in touch (contact page).
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