Gatwick Airport opens applications for highly-acclaimed engineering Apprenticeship Programme to mark National Apprenticeship Week

Gatwick Airport has launched its prestigious engineering Apprenticeship Programme for 2022, with applications open to mark  National Apprenticeship Week.  

As Gatwick celebrates its 45th year of the Apprenticeship Programme, the airport is on the hunt for four new Technical Apprentices in Engineering Mechatronics Maintenance to join its cohort. 

Applications will remain open until Monday 7 March 2022.  

The four-year programme, which has seen more than 300 people pass through since its inception in 1977, includes a year at East Surrey College, where the apprentices will study practical and theory-based subjects, working towards a BTEC level three, before combining their studies with practical days at the airport in years two to four with day release back to college to further enhance their skills. 

The Apprenticeship Programme gives young engineers the opportunity to earn while they learn and training covers hands-on experience of various engineering sectors across the airport, including airfield, baggage, Specialist Systems, shuttles, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), among others. Successful completion of the apprenticeship will lead to becoming a fully qualified Engineering Technician with industry–standard recognised qualifications. 

Gatwick currently has 15 apprentices across four cohorts, taking on an equal split of male and female candidates for the first time in 2021. The airport’s successful apprenticeship programme was last year recognised with second place in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the Rate My Apprenticeship Awards. Gatwick also placed second in the South East as best apprenticeship employers. 

Dave White, Apprentice Development Lead, Gatwick Airport said: “We are delighted to open our Apprenticeship Programme applications for the future intake of engineers at Gatwick. The airport is an exciting and unique place for any young engineer to learn and develop their skills, with such a vast array of areas to work in and engineering challenges to take on, rotating across all our engineering departments during the apprenticeship program. 

“The programme has been a huge success over the past 44 years, going from strength to strength, and a number of former apprentices – myself included – continue to enjoy wonderful careers at Gatwick. As an Engineering Apprentice you will work within the Engineering team, with a full insight into exactly what it takes to run the world’s busiest single runway airport.” 

Jiane Vane, Engineering Apprentice, Gatwick Airport said: “I have loved every second of my apprenticeship. I look forward to arriving at work every day to learn practical skills and view engineering in a real-world sense. Everyone has been so supportive whilst teaching me systems around the airport, it has helped with my education and made me feel more confident whilst at work.  

“Gatwick has also provided me with the opportunity to encourage more females into engineering. It would be amazing to see an increasing number of women engineers – I want to be a part of the evidence that woman can break down these barriers in engineering.” 

The five apprentices who ‘graduated’ from the programme last year all took up positions within the airport, working across areas including baggage, airfield, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and specialist systems. 

The Apprenticeship Programme is one of several ways Gatwick works to engage and inspire young engineers, with other projects including the Primary Engineer, Secondary Engineer, Engineering Tomorrow and Learn Live initiatives in local schools, plus a number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) events. 

More information can be found at gatwickairport.com/apprentices