Apprenticeships: The Road to Success

12 April 2016

In April 2016, Airbus Helicopters is launching its work-study campaign by offering more than 240 new apprenticeship positions at its headquarters in Marignane, France and other regional offices. The positions are in various fields and for all educational levels. The headquarters in Marignane provide apprentices with a close proximity to production lines, allowing them to familiarize themselves with an industrial environment. A wide range of specialties are offered to pupils who, with the work-study courses ranging from 1 to 3 years, have sufficient amount of time to adapt to this new environment.

Not all apprentices will be necessarily hired by Airbus Helicopters, but they will acquire a unique professional experience that will make them sought-after candidates on the job market for other aeronautical companies and related sub-contractors at both the regional and national levels.

The apprenticeship program will offer positions for mechanics, technicians, the design office, customer support, finance, purchasing, logistics, human resources and communications staff. Work-study courses apply to all specialties as well as all educational levels.


How can candidates apply?

Airbus Helicopters' work-study campaign starts at the end of April. Applications can be filled out online at www.jobs.airbusgroup.com

Candidates who wish to apply must be in a training project (already approved or currently being approved) in an educational or training establishment. We welcome interested candidates to apply, from all social and cultural backgrounds, irrespective of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation and religious beliefs.


What are our apprentices saying?


Séverine After receiving my professional diploma in industrial equipment maintenance (Bac pro MEI) and then my fitter/metal worker's certificate (CQPM) in December 2013 in Airbus Helicopters' fitting/metal working section (over one year program) and as a fitter-assembler on the H175 assembly line, I am currently studying for my aeronautical professional diploma (Bac pro) as a fitter/metal worker - with my exams to be held in June 2016.

I work in the metal working section, where we manufacture parts from flat sheet metal. I have the opportunity to see and understand how all sorts of parts are made - parts that are then installed on the helicopter. My daily work consists of tracing out, metal cutting, shrinking, stretching, fettling, fitting, etc. But the work is never the same, that's what I like about it. At the start of each day I'm faced with a new job, a new part, a new manufacturing method.
Apprenticeships: The Road to Success

Séverine – Apprentice, Fitter/metal worker

What do you like about your job?

What I particularly like about my job is being able to shape material using my hands. Starting from a drawing on a piece of paper and a piece of flat sheet metal, I put our working methods into practice and see the material come to life. This job requires a rigorous approach, patience, accuracy, perseverance and, of course, a strong team spirit to produce a high-quality, compliant end product. That's what I like about it.

Why did you choose a work-study course?

I chose a work-study course as it allows me to acquire a meaningful professional experience and to work alongside professionals who pass their know-how on to me. This system allows me to combine work experience with the study program I am currently in.


Anthony My name is Anthony, I'm 20 and I've just completed a diploma in industrial science, technology and sustainable development (BAC STI2D). After passing my diploma, I've come to the Istres apprenticeship center to do an aeronautical technician's diploma (BTS). This diploma is obtained at the end of an apprenticeship program which I’m performing with Airbus Helicopters Marignane.

I joined the team of ground test technicians. We test equipment that has been installed on helicopters on the final assembly line to validate their integration. We are responsible for checking that the equipment complies with the definitions given by the design office.

Using test equipment, we follow a procedure given in technical documents describing the operations and checks or measurements to be performed in a detailed manner. If there is a fault, we identify the source of the problem and perform a diagnosis. We work together with the ground test preparation team that drafts the whole technical documentation and also with the design office, pilots and ground run-up staff.
Apprenticeships: The Road to Success

Anthony – Apprentice, Ground test technician

What do you like about your job?

What I mainly like about my job is working on the helicopters and new on-board systems and being in contact with all the different specialists.

Why did you choose a work-study course?

I chose this type of course because it's a good way to help you enter into a professional career. It allows you to gain actual work experience - which is increasingly asked for in job interviews.


Audrey After passing my science diploma (Bac S), I decided to study for a university technology diploma (DUT) in physical measurements so that I could then enter an engineering college specializing in the aerospace field. I joined the systems integration team in September 2013. Using integration test benches, this team tests the avionics systems that manage the different helicopter functions (engines, navigation, flight, etc.). During my apprenticeship I help to prepare and validate the test environment, perform and monitor tests, validate and analyze measurements and then draft test reports and qualification documents. I was also able to work on H225 computer troubleshooting in conjunction with the flight test department.
Apprenticeships: The Road to Success

Audrey - Engineering apprentice, Avionics systems

What do you like about your job?

What I particularly appreciate in my work is the fact that it is really concrete. I work on a project where the systems already exist, so I can monitor their performance every day on the integration benches. What makes it even more interesting is that I can access the flight recordings and replay them on analysis software. This enables me to learn a lot about the helicopter’s engine and computer performance during the different flight phases.

Why did you choose a work-study course?

Work-study courses allow you to combine theory and practice and to gain professional experience, which means that you are in a good position on the job market when you finish your studies. That's the main reason why I chose this type of course.

» Learn more about the Airbus Group apprenticeship programme