Aircraft Research Association - Mechanical Craft Engineering Apprentice

ARA (Aircraft Research Association Limited) are looking to recruit four apprentices in Electrical Engineering Apprentice. The successful candidate will follow a training syllabus to develop capabilities and skills required for the role. ARA (Aircraft Research Association Limited) is a leading UK based aerodynamics research company with an international customer base and a worldwide reputation in aerospace. The company operates a world class Transonic Wind Tunnel test facility, alongside a design and manufacturing unit and an aerodynamics consultancy group. Our apprentices and all our employees are based on one site, here in Manton Lane, Bedford with the initial training undertaken full time at a local college for up to three months. After this initial training, you will transfer back to the site to learn from our experienced engineers, and work towards an NVQ Level 3. Other required qualifications, such as technical certificates, are obtained through day release at local colleges or delivered on site over the following 3-4 years.

Starting in September 2019 we are looking to recruit an Electrical Engineering Apprentice. It is a competitive selection process, we look for the best candidates but for those who are successful, the opportunity to train on the job (and be paid while you learn) is hard to match.

Engineering Services Department
Engineering Services is responsible for servicing and maintaining all plant and equipment crucial to the site. This includes the Transonic Wind Tunnel, machines used in the manufacture of high precision engineered wind tunnel models together with more general site and building maintenance. Supporting this team, we are looking to recruit apprentices in Engineering with a view to undertaking an Engineering Apprenticeship. Each successful candidate will follow a training syllabus to develop capabilities and skills required for the role. The training will be delivered on the job. Day release attendance at college on a weekly basis will form part of the training in support of studying towards a relevant City and Guilds Advanced Craft or BTEC National Diploma (ONC/OND and/or HNC) qualifications.
Our Mechanical Craft Apprenticeship Programme caters for those who are interested in the hands on elements of engineering. You will develop your skills from skilled fitters within D&M, surrounded by cutting edge technology. You will also learn how to manufacture model parts using a variety of machining methods to include Lathes, Milling machines, EDM (Electro Discharge machining), CNC Milling and also learn to assemble and disassemble bespoke, precision components within the required timescales and to the required quality standards. The ideal candidate will have attention to detail and a hunger for learning a broad spectrum of manufacturing and inspection techniques. On completion of each model project, all team members feel a high sense of pride in what they have achieved; the work is at the pinnacle of manufacturing within the aerospace industry.


The duties of this Craft Engineering role will include but not be limited to:
1. Lamination of Composite materials
2. Working Safely
3. Using Hand Fitting techniques
4. Operating Milling and Turning machines
5. Reading Technical Drawings
6. Learning about Lean Manufacturing.