Time is running out for anyone hoping to start an apprenticeship with GE Aerospace in Cheltenham. Applications for six programmes at the Gloucestershire site close on 15 November 2026, and the company warns that applications may close earlier if volumes are high, so candidates should not wait until the final day.

The Cheltenham site designs, develops and manufactures advanced aircraft power distribution and avionics systems for commercial, business jet and military aircraft manufacturers. Its history dates back to 1940, and apprentices there join teams working on complex international projects that produce systems relied on by airlines and aircraft makers around the world.

Which Cheltenham apprenticeships are closing?

The six programmes closing on 15 November cover manufacturing, testing, engineering and workplace safety. The Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship is a three-year, Level 3 programme in which apprentices spend their first year in full-time study at college, rotate through areas of the factory in the second year, and move into more permanent specialist areas in the third year, working towards becoming a qualified operator in the manufacturing supply chain.

The Test Technician Apprenticeship, at Level 4, follows a rotational scheme through the supply chain, giving apprentices an end-to-end view of manufacturing from a test perspective, alongside an HNC or HND qualification. The Supply Chain Business Degree Apprenticeship, at Level 6, combines a 12-month grounding in the business with university study through the Leadership and Management Professional Degree Apprenticeship, preparing apprentices for entry-level roles across supply chain functions.

The remaining three closing programmes are Manufacturing Engineering, a four-year rotational apprenticeship studying combined electrical and mechanical HNC and HND qualifications; Engineering Maintenance Technician, a Level 4 programme for multi-disciplinary maintenance engineers; and Environment, Health and Safety Technician, a Level 3 apprenticeship whose completers can apply for Technician membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

What happens next for applicants?

All six Cheltenham programmes opened for applications on 19 October 2026. GE Aerospace says applications may close earlier depending on application volumes, so early application is advised. Candidates should apply through the company's own careers pages, where each programme sets out its qualifications, the work involved and the level of apprenticeship on offer.

The Cheltenham deadline is not the end of GE Aerospace's UK apprenticeship recruitment. At GE Aerospace Wales, near Cardiff, applications for business and management, engineering and supply chain apprenticeships open on 16 November 2026. At Prestwick, the engineering modern apprenticeship opened on 2 November 2026. The company's Gloucester site, Dowty, also lists apprenticeship programmes, including degree apprenticeships in aerospace and manufacturing engineering.

Apprenticeships remain one of the main routes into skilled aerospace work, combining paid employment with structured training and recognised qualifications. For Cheltenham, the window closes this weekend, and anyone considering one of the six roles should check the eligibility requirements and apply before 15 November.

Source: GE Aerospace — UK Apprenticeships. Applicants should confirm the closing date and requirements on the official GE Aerospace careers page before applying.