Engineering Apprentice (Air Traffic Management Equipment and Systems)

Summary

During this Engineering Apprenticeship you will be trained to become an operational engineer at NATS, this means you will learn about the design, installation, maintenance and reparation of all operational systems and equipment, this is the equipment used by our Air Traffic Controllers and customers throughout the UK to keep the skies safe.

Annual wage

£21,300 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Your salary will increase with each successful year completed of the apprenticeship. Year 1: £21,300 Year 2: £22,098 Year 3: £27,927 Year 4 (upon successful completion of apprenticeship): Upwards of £36,500

Training course

Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)

Hours

Monday to Friday, shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

3 years

Positions available

4

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

As an ATC (Air Traffic Control) Engineer, you will support our design teams with your knowledge of the operational environment, learn how to control and monitor the equipment in use, so that any problems are identified and resolved quickly.
You will also undertake preventative maintenance and support the installation of new equipment amongst a variety of other tasks such as systems reconfiguration and switching out equipment to ensure the service we provide is maintained.
This 3-year Engineering Apprenticeship scheme prepares you for a fulfilling career in the aviation industry. The scheme is designed to bring new entrants into NATS with limited work experience through a structured training program. The scheme will provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become an operational Engineer.

Where you’ll work

Sopwith Way

Swanwick

Southampton

SO31 7AY

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

TRAIN'D UP RAILWAY RESOURCING LIMITED

Your training course

Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

Course contents

Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules, drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.
Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules, drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.

Your training plan

Through remote learning (1 day per week) you will obtain 2 formal qualifications; a Level 4 Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician (Lead engineering maintenance technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education) Qualification and a HNC in Electrical Engineering. Find out more about the apprenticeship here- Lead engineering maintenance technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Alongside the formal education, NATS has designed an internal learning pathway to provide you with the required ATC specific engineering knowledge and skills as well as provide an opportunity to develop your interpersonal skills too. You will get an opportunity to apply your new skills and knowledge on-the-job with support from experienced NATS engineers.
During the first year you will gain a thorough understanding of the various engineering roles at NATS and undertake four rotations across different engineering capacities, providing you with an opportunity to work at various locations across the UK. You will undertake a comprehensive induction programme as well as develop a skillset that will set you up for a successful career at NATS.

More training information

You will complete an HNC in Electrical Engineering during the first two years of your apprenticeship through on-line day release (1 day per week). In addition, you will be working towards your Lead Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship (Level 4) through work-based assessments throughout the three-year apprenticeship.

This year we are recruiting 3 apprentices for Day Teams, and 1 for Central Maintenance Services. Find out more about the different types of operational engineering roles within NATS below:

Engineers in our control and monitoring centres in Swanwick and Whiteley oversee equipment for air traffic control, respond to issues and conduct maintenance. They collaborate with specialised colleagues for fault rectification and service continuity.

Day Teams Engineers specialise in specific Air Traffic Control services like surveillance, networks, data, and voice communications. They handle complex issue resolution, maintenance support and aid in designing, testing, and installing new systems.

Central Maintenance Services (CMS) Engineers are based in a workshop at our Whiteley centre. They repair various equipment down to component level from radars, communications, navigational aids, and IT from across the UK and beyond.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSEs including Maths and English (grade 4)
English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative

Other requirements

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must be: 18+ Live and work in England (funding purposes) Must have the right to work in the UK, without requiring sponsorship. If you are unsure, check the Home Office guidance You will need to pass pre-employment security clearance checks Pass an Ishihara colour vision test

About this company

NATS is the UK’s leading Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). Every year we handle 2.6 million flights and keep 250 million passengers safe whilst in UK airspace. We provide air traffic management (ATM) services to 15 airports in the UK as well as providing these services around the world spanning Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America. We’re shaping the future of ATM through our focus on ‘advancing aviation and keeping the skies safe’ and believe that the size and diversity of our business makes us an exciting choice for individuals beginning their careers!

https://www.nats.aero/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

On completion of year 1 you will be allocated to a ‘unit’, depending on business needs and individual aptitude. This is where you will complete years 2 and 3 of your apprenticeship and specialise in one aspect of operational engineering at NATS. You could be based at one of the world’s busiest Air Traffic Control Centres at Swanwick or at our head office in Whiteley, working in either the Day Teams (engineering teams who specialise in a particular Air Traffic Control service such as, such as communication, surveillance or flight data), or the Central Maintenance Services (CMS) team (engineers who are based at our workshop and Whiteley and repair equipment to component level).

You will complete an HNC in Electrical Engineering during the first two years of your apprenticeship through on-line day release (1 day per week). In addition, you will be working towards your Lead Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship (Level 4) through work-based assessments throughout the three-year apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES LIMITED

Evie May

evie.may@nats.co.uk

07391381828

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000297124.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 1 April

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents