Engineering Apprentice
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Company: The Shuttleworth Trust
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Location: Biggleswade, SG18 9EP
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: Apprenticeship Minimum Wage
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Sector: Other
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Ref: VAC-14302
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Application Deadline Date: 02/03/2026
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Start Date: 13/04/2026
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm (With some weekend Air Shows throughout the summer)
Brief Description
Are you passionate about aircraft and eager to learn how they work? This exciting apprenticeship puts you at the heart of vintage aviation, giving you the chance to help maintain and restore historic aircraft. If you’re curious, motivated, and ready to kick-start a unique career in engineering, this opportunity is made for you!
Qualifications Required
GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in Maths, English, Science and ideally a practical subject such as CDT or Design and Realisation.
Personal Qualities
- Keen to learn, try new things, and build new skills
- Happy to work as part of a team and get stuck in
- Genuinely interested in aviation, especially older or historic aircraft
- Willing to help out during the air show season (May–October), including some weekends
Skills Required
- An interest in how things are built and how engineering works
- Some basic knowledge of aircraft or aviation
- Able to follow instructions carefully and take pride in doing a job properly
Training to be Provided
You will be enrolled on a Level 3 Aircraft Maintenance Technician apprenticeship, where you’ll work towards a nationally recognised qualification while gaining experience alongside experienced engineers. Training will combine classroom-based learning with practical workplace training, helping you build a strong understanding of aircraft systems, safety, and maintenance standards.
Future Prospects
On completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to progress into a permanent engineering role within the Shuttleworth Collection.
Vacancy Detail
The Shuttleworth Collection are looking for an engaged and enthusiastic engineering apprentice to join their engineering training scheme. Successful applicants will work to achieve a Level 3 Aircraft Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship alongside extensive experience within our engineering team, caring for our world-renowned Collection of airworthy aircraft from 1909–1950.
The Shuttleworth Collection operates the most diverse fleet of working vintage aircraft and vehicles in the world. Their professional Aero engineering team carries out all aspects of vintage aircraft operation: maintenance, repair, overhaul, restoration and parts fabrication on many airframe and engine types. The airframes vary in construction from: fabric covered, wood and wire braced to aluminium semi-monocoques. Engines include: light, air cooled 2/3 cylinder examples from the dawn of flight to mighty 1500HP WWII, liquid cooled, V12s.
This fantastic opportunity will see you join Shuttleworth’s Aero engineering team where, over the course of four years, you will learn how to:
- Prepare aircraft for flight and assist with the groundside operation of aircraft, at air displays for example;
- Inspect, service and maintain aircraft in airworthy condition;
- Diagnose defects and assess them against airworthiness criteria;
- Work with current airworthiness standards and maintain airworthiness records.
You will also learn repair and fabrication techniques in a variety of engineering materials as well as being involved with the overhaul and restoration of engines, airframes and components. The work is wide ranging and therefore candidates must be adaptable, hardworking, possess excellent motor skills and keen to learn multiple disciplines. In return you will have a unique learning experience from a world-class team.
Other Information
- This is a four-year apprenticeship, so you’ll need to be committed and ready to learn over the long term.
- You’ll be working with historic aircraft, so attention to detail and following safety rules is very important.
- Some work takes place outdoors and in hangars, in all kinds of weather
- During air show season (May–October), you may be asked to work some weekends
- You will need a full drivers license and access to your own transport