The Airbus UK Direct Entry Graduate (DEG) Scheme is a designed to give participants the chance to enjoy a great future at Airbus, if they achieve the required performance measures.  It is a two-year programme (except for Finance, which is a three-year programme) that combines structured placements with focused training programmes.

Structure

Throughout the programme you will be given wide-ranging support to ensure that you are well equipped to make the most of your placements.
The programme consists of three to six-month training and development placements.  Each graduate is assigned to a particular function (department) within the company, known as the target area. In this way you can be guided through the various placement opportunities that exist within your function, the wider business and sometimes with customers and suppliers.
 
This practical experience is complemented by a number of valuable training programmes covering:

• Behavioural development and personal effectiveness
• Business awareness and technical understanding
• Cultural awareness.

A two-day course in Toulouse, France, provides an overview of the Airbus product range and business. Included in the programme are tours of the final assembly lines (FALs) and an opportunity to meet and interview representatives from an airline and a supplier, as well as visiting their manufacturing premises.

We also run a number of business training courses, which focus on giving DEGs hands-on experience to help them in their placements including:

• Manufacturing (metallics and composites) - this course increases awareness of the integration between design and manufacturing.
• Lean Awareness explores lean tools and techniques showing how they can be applied in different business areas
• Aircraft Familiarisation - this course gives participants an understanding of the A320 aircraft. There is a visit to Bristol airport to view an in-service aircraft.

Skills development

As well as the theoretical and practical learning that individuals undertake, importance is also placed on developing personal skills.  Our DEGs are allocated 15% of their working time to spend on personal development.  This can include education liaison activities, charity involvement and Campus Management.

There are always opportunities to attend further ’soft skills’ training courses and support is available for foreign language training.

Qualifications

All our Direct Entry Graduate Scheme graduates are encouraged to achieve professional membership of an appropriate institution including RAeS (Royal Aeronautical Society), IMechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers), IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development) and CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply).

Career development

Your performance during the scheme will influence whether you are considered for a future role in Airbus and, if successful, you would be allocated an Advanced Professional Developing (APD) operating level for up to 3 years after completing the DEG scheme.

As an APD, it would be up to you to be pro-active in establishing your own learning and development path to prepare you for an Advanced Professional role within the organisation. As you progressed in this role, the main difference you would notice would be an increased level of responsibility and accountability.