Summary This role involves inspecting and identifying wear and damage on flight controls from Airbus and Boeing aircraft worldwide. It combines hands-on disassembly with computer-based research workpack generation. You’ll receive training to inspect components and produce repair quotations in an indoor workshop environment. Wage £18,576 a year Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab) Training course Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4) Hours Working hours are Monday–Thursday 08:00–16:30 and Friday 08:00–15:30, with 3 scheduled breaks. The role includes day release to college, with progression from Level 4 to Level 5 and Level 6, leading to a full degree qualification. 39 hours a week Start date Wednesday 1 July 2026 Duration 3 years 6 months Positions available 1 Work Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience. What you'll do at work Carry out inspections of Aircraft Removable Structural Components. (Looking for damage, wear, corrosion and non-conformity to part number) Use inspection tools to aid inspections, such as Calipers, Micrometers, Depth gauges, Bore gauges, Optical Micrometers, Video Boroscope and 3D scanning Use hand tools to carry out some initial disassembly to aid inspection. Use hand tools to remove wear / corrosion to help determine if this falls within limits Determine what wear/damage can be repaired i.a.w. published Airbus or Boeing Repair Data. (Component Maintenance Manual, Structural Repair Manual, Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Drawings, Process Specifications, Technical and Material Data sheets) Determine what wear damage is likely to be able to be repaired by contacting Airbus or Boeing for an out-of-scope repair Determine what wear/damage is likely to be beyond repair Determine if the scope and extent of the work falls within the capabilities and approvals of the organisation Create a workpack based on the above information which allows technicians to step through the repair of the item Create the quotation for the repair of the part w.r.t. hours, materials and subcontracted processes Liaise with Boeing and Airbus regarding ongoing repairs Assist in the design of tooling, jigs and fixtures Liaise with external service providers Co-ordinate with various departments to manage repairs throughout each stage Carry out final release to service and sign off Certificate of Release to Service for EASA/FAA/CAA Evaluate if wear damage is likely to be able to be repaired by creation of a repair scheme Where you'll work 1 SWINBOURNE DRIVE SPRINGWOOD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE BRAINTREE ESSEX CM7 2YP Training Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills. Training provider COLCHESTER INSTITUTE Training course Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4) Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab) What you'll learn 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. Training schedule Day release as part of the degree course during term time. The individual will be required to make their way to and from the college (Colchester Institute) on the relevant day. More training information This is an indoor workshop-based role working on components removed from the aircraft and not working on the aircraft itself. Requirements Essential qualifications GCSE in: English (grade 5/6 or above) Maths (grade 5/6 or above) Science, Technology or Engineering (grade 4 or above) A Level in: Maths (grade C or above) Desirable qualifications A Level in: Science, Technology, Engineering or additional Mat (grade C / Level 3 / 90 credits) Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know. Skills Communication skills IT skills Attention to detail Organisation skills Customer care skills Problem solving skills Administrative skills Number skills Analytical skills Logical Team working Initiative Patience Physical fitness Other requirements The candidate will need to be able to travel to work in Braintree and attend college at Colchester Institute The role will involve the use of hand tools and long periods in front of a computer The role may sometimes involve work and training overseas The role is mainly based indoors About this employer ACSAI is one of the UK’s leading Repair & Overhaul organisations specialising in the repair of Aircraft Flying Controls. We carry out in-depth repairs to Flying Controls removed from aircraft worldwide. We operate from 3 facilities in Braintree and repair items such as Flaps, Rudders, Engine Inlets and Thrust Reversers. Starting just 12 years ago we are one of the UK’s fastest growing companies achieving the Queens Award in 2018 and the Kings Award in 2024. We have reputation of providing high quality repair solutions to airlines worldwide. This is entirely due to the experience and dedication of our highly talented staff. http://www.acsai.co.uk (opens in new tab) Company benefits Subsidised gym membership Private medical Company pension scheme Christmas party & social events Free tea, coffee, biscuits Company uniform and shoes/boots 22 days holiday plus bank holidays After this apprenticeship It is anticipated that the apprentice will become an Inspector for the organisation at the completion of their training. Ask a question The contact for this apprenticeship is: ACS AVIATION INDUSTRIES LTD Lois Skinner hr@acsai.co.uk 01376331123 The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000021717.