Student Case Studies

Engineering Level 3 Apprenticeship - Finlay

Former School(s): Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, Cardinal Newman Catholic School

After finishing GCSEs, Finlay started an Aeronautics course based at Brighton City (Formerly Shoreham) Airport. During this time, he applied for a few Apprenticeships, but it wasn't until his second time around applying a year later that he landed the role at Gatwick Airport. 

“I actually applied for quite a few Apprenticeships the first time around, but the second time I only applied for the Gatwick one.”

The wide variety of topics offered with the programme appealed to Finlay and he was excited to learn in a hands-on way. Finlay will begin his training Full-time at East Surrey College, developing practical skills in our workshops. From the second year, he'll combine his time with a placement at the Airport, putting learning into action and completing a Level 3 BTEC qualification. The final two years will be spent at the Airport continuing to learn practical skills.

Since starting the course, Finlay has enjoyed a visit to the Engineering department at Gatwick Airport, where he and his fellow Apprentices had the chance to tour behind the scenes and shadow Engineering technicians. 

"It was so interesting seeing all the different work there. I liked seeing all the airside engineering, on a high-speed runway. I also wasn’t expecting to be so interested in the baggage and shuttle areas.”

Whilst at College, Finlay has enjoyed learning coding, digital drawing and even using the Augmented Reality Welding simulators. He's also enjoyed the Electrical Installations, and in particular, using machines in the workshops. 

“At ESC, there hasn’t been anything I haven’t enjoyed! The facilities are great, this is definitely a high-end College. We’ve been into every workshop and there hasn’t been a part of this course I haven’t loved.”

Finlay is passionate about the Apprenticeship scheme, stating it is the best way to get into the industry. 

"If you have something in mind, an Apprenticeship is the way to do it.”

Explore our Engineering Apprenticeships here.