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L6Apprenticeship371 approved provider
The Level 6 Aerospace engineer, and the 1 provider delivering it.
Creating aircraft components and equipment, specialising in a specific engineering discipline (for example - airframe, design and stress, systems integration, support engineering or manufacturing engineering).
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices develop engineering skills focused on the design, manufacture, or support of aircraft components and systems. The programme centres on a chosen discipline, which may include airframe structures, design and stress analysis, systems integration, support engineering, or manufacturing engineering. Apprentices learn to apply engineering principles to real aerospace challenges, working to industry standards and regulatory requirements. By the end, they are expected to operate as a qualified engineer capable of taking technical responsibility within their specialism.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Work varies by discipline but typically involves producing or reviewing technical drawings and specifications, carrying out stress or systems analysis, supporting design reviews, and working within project teams alongside experienced engineers. Apprentices are likely to use industry-standard CAD or analysis software, interpret engineering data, and contribute to documentation required for certification or production. Regular interaction with project leads, quality teams, and occasionally suppliers or customers is common across most disciplines.
Career outlook
Completing this Level 6 apprenticeship leads to roles such as Stress Engineer, Airframe Design Engineer, Systems Integration Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, or Support Engineer, depending on the chosen specialism. Employers span commercial aircraft manufacturers, defence contractors, maintenance and repair organisations (MROs), and aerospace systems suppliers. With experience, progression typically moves toward senior engineer, lead engineer, or principal engineer positions. The qualification also provides a foundation for chartered engineer status through relevant professional engineering institutions.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Blackpool and The Fylde College
Employer: 4.0
Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) offers a wide range of technical and professional education o...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Graduates of this standard typically move into roles such as Aerospace Engineer, Design Engineer, Stress Engineer, Systems Integration Engineer, or Manufacturing Engineer, depending on their chosen discipline. Some complete into Support Engineer or Airframe Engineer positions. These are professional-level engineering roles carrying direct responsibility for the design, analysis, or production of aircraft components and equipment, usually within a defined technical specialism.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, engineers commonly progress to Senior Engineer or Lead Engineer level, taking ownership of more complex technical problems and sometimes line-managing junior colleagues or apprentices. Beyond that, two distinct tracks tend to open up: a technical specialist route leading to Principal Engineer or Chief Engineer roles, and a broader leadership route moving into engineering management or programme management. Chartered Engineer status through a relevant professional body is a natural milestone along either path.
Where these roles sit
The primary employers are aircraft manufacturers, tier-one and tier-two aerospace suppliers, defence contractors, and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) organisations. Civil aviation and defence are both significant, and the same skills transfer into space and unmanned systems sectors. Employers range from large primes with thousands of engineers to smaller specialist suppliers. The sector is concentrated in parts of the South West, North West, and South East of England, as well as Scotland and Wales.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place in the workplace alongside formal study, with the apprentice building competence in a specific aerospace engineering discipline over an extended period. Before final assessment can begin, there is a readiness check, often called the gateway, at which the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the standard. Final assessment then determines whether the apprentice can perform at the level expected of a qualified aerospace engineer. Assessment models for many Level 6 standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a strong body of workplace evidence throughout the apprenticeship, rather than trying to compile it close to the end, makes a significant difference to readiness. This means keeping records of real engineering tasks, projects and decisions as they arise, whether in airframe design, systems integration, manufacturing, or another specialism. Regular reviews with both the employer and training provider help identify any gaps early. Close collaboration with a line manager who can support structured workplace learning is particularly important at this level, where the depth of technical and professional competence required is substantial.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with achievement rates above 75% on their FATP profile, given the four-year duration and the technical depth involved. Strong providers will have direct relationships with aerospace employers, either through employer consortia or co-designed delivery, and will teach using industry-standard tools such as CATIA, NASTRAN, or relevant CAD and simulation software. Ask to see where recent completers are working. Apprentice satisfaction scores above 80% are a reasonable baseline. Check that the provider delivers the specific discipline pathway relevant to your role, whether that is airframe, systems integration, or manufacturing engineering.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider cannot explain which aerospace engineering disciplines their programme covers in depth, or if they teach engineering software that is no longer current in UK aerospace supply chains. A high enrolment volume paired with a falling achievement rate over recent years is a warning sign at this level, where attrition is costly. Vague answers about how end-point assessment is prepared for, or no clear link between off-the-job training and live engineering project work, suggest the programme lacks employer integration.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What engineering disciplines do you deliver in depth, and have you tailored content to airframe, stress, systems integration, or manufacturing engineering?
- Which CAD, analysis, or simulation tools are taught, and when were those tools last reviewed against what aerospace employers actually use?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- Can you show us examples of projects apprentices have completed, and where recent graduates are now working?
- How do you structure the relationship between off-the-job learning and the apprentice's day-to-day engineering work?
- How do you prepare apprentices for end-point assessment, and what support is in place if progress stalls?
- What is your typical cohort size for this standard, and how many employers are currently using your programme?
Common questions
What qualifications does someone need to start an aerospace engineer apprenticeship at degree level?
Employers typically set their own entry requirements, but most look for A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, often including maths and a science or engineering subject. Some employers also accept relevant level 3 apprenticeship completions. The apprentice must be employed throughout, so entry depends on securing a role with a participating employer as well as meeting any academic requirements they specify.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how does learning fit around work?
The typical duration for this standard is 48 months. The apprentice remains employed throughout and develops knowledge and skills on the job alongside any off-the-job learning arranged with a training provider. The specific off-the-job requirement is subject to current reforms, so check the current specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) page or gov.uk for up-to-date details.
How is an aerospace engineer apprentice assessed at the end of the programme?
Before the end-point assessment, the apprentice passes through a gateway, at which point the employer, training provider and apprentice confirm that the required knowledge, skills and behaviours have been developed. Assessment models for many standards are being updated under current reforms, so the specific assessment methods, such as projects, interviews or practical observations, should be confirmed against the current standard on gov.uk.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £27,000, which caps what the government will contribute. Larger employers with an apprenticeship levy account use levy funds to cover training costs. SMEs co-invest alongside government, typically covering a small percentage of costs. Employers with fewer than 50 employees who take on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing for training. Costs above the funding band cap are met by the employer directly.
What does an aerospace engineer apprentice actually do during the working week?
Day-to-day work depends on the engineering discipline the apprentice specialises in. Someone in airframe or stress engineering may work on structural analysis and component design. A systems integration apprentice might work across avionics, mechanical or electrical systems. Those in manufacturing engineering could be involved in production processes and tooling. Support engineering roles focus on maintaining and improving aircraft in service. In all cases, the apprentice contributes to real project work rather than shadowing.
What can an apprentice do after completing an aerospace engineer apprenticeship?
Completing a level 6 apprenticeship in this discipline provides a foundation for chartered engineer status with a relevant professional engineering institution, such as the Royal Aeronautical Society. Progression routes include senior or specialist engineering roles, project leadership, or moving into related disciplines across the aerospace supply chain. Some graduates go on to postgraduate study or pursue further professional registration to support longer-term career development.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 37.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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