Aerospace Manufacturing Machinist Apprentice (Level 3)

Job Description:

At Leonardo, we have a fantastic new opportunity for an Aerospace Manufacturing Machinist Apprentice (Level 3). Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 7,000 are based in the UK.

As one of the leading helicopter manufacturers in the world, Leonardo Helicopters is part of the multi-national Leonardo Group of world class engineering companies.

Leonardo Helicopters designs, develops and manufactures an unrivalled range of the most advanced helicopters, rotary wing technology, also developing mission and performance critical systems. Our helicopters are used extensively in civil and military roles worldwide. Primary operations are in the UK, Italy, Poland and the USA.

Programme Description
Our manufacturing Machining Apprenticeship is suited for those who are interested in the practical (hands-on) elements of engineering. Over the duration of the scheme you will have the opportunity to rotate across a number of placements, using different machines in each area (mainly CNC). You will learn how to set up and operate each one, with the ultimate aim of moving you into a final placement area/machine based on the skills displayed during the apprenticeship.

What you'll get
• Flexible working: We offer our employees the time and flexibility they need to enjoy a balanced life through flexible hours and part time options
• Custom working: The role may be a mixture of home based and onsite
• Flexible benefits: Our company-funded approach to flexible benefits allows employees to make choices appropriate for them. Each employee has access to a wide choice of lifestyle, health and wellbeing options best suited to their individual lifestyle goals.
• Network groups: To demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion we have network groups for:
- Carers (employees caring for families or friends)
- Enable (supporting people with disabilities)
- Equalise (development of a gender balanced workforce)
- Pride (promoting equality for all LGBTQ+ individuals)
- We also work in partnership with AFBE (Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers).
• Training: Free access to Coursera which provides more than 4,000 online courses
• Continuous Learning: You will be supported in your ongoing professional development though training and mentoring
• Investors in People: We are proud recipients of the Investors in People Gold Award
• Employee Assistance Programme: Providing free and confidential mental health support
• Generous annual and flex leave in addition to bank holidays

To find out about all of our Company benefits please visit:

What you will do

The apprenticeship will start with an Induction into Leonardo, followed by a team building event incorporating all Trainee starts. There will also be a Yeovil College Induction to ensure that apprenticeship requirements and expectations are fully established.

The structure of the Apprenticeship programme will be as follows:
• Year 1: Full time at Yeovil College to complete a Level 2 Vocational qualification in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (practical/workshop based) and a BTEC Level 2 Diploma in machining (knowledge/classroom based).
Post-Christmas, there is a possibility of working on-site in your placement at Leonardo Helicopters for 1 day a week.
• Year 2: Work placements at Leonardo Helicopters (4 days per week) and starting the Level 3 Vocational (work related) qualification in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering. Attend Yeovil College (1 day per week) to start the Level 3 Diploma in Machining qualification (this includes mathematics to AS/A2 level).
• Year 3: Work placements at Leonardo Helicopters (4 days per week) and continuing the Level 3 Vocational (work related) qualification in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering. Attend Yeovil College (1 day per week) to continue
the Level 3 Diploma in Machining qualification (this includes mathematics to AS/A2 level).
• Year 4: Work placements at Leonardo Helicopters (5 days per week) and completing the Level 3 Vocational (work related) qualification in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering.

Each Apprentice on this route will need to complete an End Point Assessment as defined in the Apprenticeship Standard, this will take place in the final months of the program.

Throughout the apprenticeship apprentices will be placed in some or all of the following departmental areas within the Transmissions Centre of Excellence:
Gear Shop: This area manufactures the internal gear components for aircraft gearboxes. The components travel through a number of different processes, each machine would cover a different part of the manufacturing process.
Machine shop: This area primarily focuses on the manufacture/finishing of Gearbox housing & ancillary components for aircraft gearboxes (i.e. drive shafts, etc.). The work in these areas are completed on various lathes (CNC & conventional lathes) and is highly tolerance critical.

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