Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship, Cheltenham 2027 intake

Job Description Summary

As an Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice (AMA) you will join our Cheltenham based Supply Chain on a 3.5 year rotational scheme, which will train you to be an Operator, building product on the shop floor, within one of our 5 core business areas. This apprenticeship will enable you to understand the end to end manufacturing process of our products, and the internal and external customers they support. You will study a Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship (with an electrical bias) at Gloucestershire College (Cheltenham Campus) to support your technical progression. Our apprenticeship is focused on supporting your personal, professional and academic development, and is an opportunity to begin a career as part of a global business within the aviation industry.

Job Description

Are you ready to see your future take flight? At GE Aerospace, we are advancing aviation technologies for today and tomorrow. Your work will contribute to the production of advanced jet engines, components, and integrated systems that power commercial and military aircraft. You’ll be part of a team that embraces your drive, your curiosity, and your unique ideas and perspectives. Most importantly, you’ll share in our pride and purpose that affects the lives of millions around the world!

With over 1,700 employees, GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham is one of the largest sites outside the USA and a major contributor to the local economy.

Our heritage dates back to 1940 yet our technology is cutting-edge. Located in the heart of Gloucestershire, the Power Distribution & Controls (PD&C) site focuses on the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art aircraft power distribution and avionics systems for the global aviation industry. Our customers include all major aerospace manufacturers - covering commercial, business jet and military applications. The scale and complexity of engineering projects offer our employees unique opportunities to work on major international projects, developing critical aircraft systems that will be relied on by many people for decades to come.

At GE Aerospace we strive to be an employer of choice by offering internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and staff development programmes that create a workplace where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential.

Innovation, a commitment to engineering excellence and leadership development places GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham as a pioneering force in building the future of flight.

• Role Description
• As an Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice (AMA) you will join our Cheltenham based Supply Chain on a 3.5 year rotational scheme, which will train you to be an Operator, building product on the shop floor, within one of our 5 core business areas. This apprenticeship will enable you to understand the end to end manufacturing process of our products, and the internal and external customers they support. You will study a Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship (government standard ST1395). Teaching will have an electrical bias and is delivered at Gloucestershire College, Cheltenham Campus.

Teaching is typically delivered via 2-day college release, every week during term time for the first 2-years of the course. In your final year, you will be based on site full-time, with an allocated assessor who will meet with you to support you through your final work-based assessments.

AMA’s rotate through our business, typically completing 8-month rotations through our core business units:

PCB

Avionics

Military Power

Civil Power

Aftermarket

Rotations aim to give you a broader understanding of the different products and customers we work with. In your final year, you will typically begin to specialize in one area of the business to refine your technical competency and product knowledge.

We want to support your personal, professional and academic development, which is why you will be given the opportunity build your network and develop soft skills. At GE Aerospace we see personal development as a key driver of success at a business level. Apprentices are also given additional time to complete ‘off the job learning’ when on site. We aim to arrange team building activities during non-teaching time to help continue to develop your skills.

Our apprentice team drive their community through enrichment and team-building activities that help to connect apprentices across different schemes. This is with a view to giving back to the business and local community. You will have access to mentors and may wish to join one of GE Aerospace employee-run networks, such as Women’s network, STEM, Pride Alliance, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

You will be supported by your Cohort Coach, Apprentice Manager, Rotation Managers, mentors, and the wider apprentice network, to ensure you are meeting the requirements of your course and getting the most out of your apprenticeship. Apprentices who complete this scheme have the skills to apply to almost any function within the Supply Chain - therefore, roll-off opportunities are not limited to a specified area.

This apprenticeship is designed to train apprentices to become Operators within our manufacturing environment. In recent years, alumni have successfully secured roles within all core business areas within our Supply Chain, based on the experience and exposure they’ve been given through their apprenticeship. Longer term, GE Aerospace offers the opportunity to continue to grow your career; we have AMA alumni in roles such as Team Leader, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Engineer and have many alumni in Senior Leadership positions also.

Overview of the scheme

Year 1 & 2

In year 1 you will start your study with Gloucestershire College at their Cheltenham Campus, where you will attend classes and be set tasks, assignments and projects based on this teaching - referencing your workplace learning to support completion of these. You will also focus on your on-site placements, putting your college skills into practice. You'll begin to work on foundational tasks, establishing working relationships and meeting your team and develop these to become more autonomous and take on greater responsibilities. You will be mentored by older apprentices and join enrichment teams.

Year 3 onwards

You will be on site full-time from Year 3 until the end of your apprenticeship. You will be a more integrated member of the team and will be expected to take on further responsibilities within your department, and across the apprenticeship programme. Your college work transitions to portfolio and assignments, based on your workplace learning and competence. You will begin to think about your future career with GE and the area you hope to obtain a permanent role in at the end of your apprenticeship.

Qualifications/Requirements

Please ensure you have achieved, or are predicted, the minimum grades below, as these are set by our academic provider. Failure to meet these grades could mean you are not eligible to join the programme.

Essential

A successful candidate would have, or be expected to achieve by the start of the apprenticeship:

Achieved, or are predicted, 4x GCSE’s (or equivalent), including Maths and English at grades C/4 or above

Level 2 qualification equivalent to minimum of 4x GCSE, including Maths and English at grades C/4

Desired

at least 1x STEM subject selected at GCSE

a motivated and enthusiastic team player

interested in technology, electronics, and process improvement

inquisitive and willing to try new things

focused, organised and want to learn

a creative and innovative problem solver

keen to seek opportunities to learn and develop

Recruitment Process

As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to submit an initial CV application. After this, the stages include a video interview and assessment centre. Our recruitment team will be in to