Surface Finisher - Advanced Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Summary
The Level 3 Surface Finisher Apprenticeship (ST0963) prepares apprentices to work in specialist finishing roles across the Aviation sector. Surface Finishers are responsible for preparing, treating, and coating a wide range of materials to achieve high‑quality finishes that meet strict industry specifications. This apprenticeship typically lasts 42 months.. Apprentices develop the technical, practical, and safety‑critical skills required to work on complex components, structures, and surfaces used in demanding environments.
Apprenticeship standard dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
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Anytime
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Bispham Campus
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Next steps
As an Employer
Employers benefit from a workforce trained to industry standards and capable of delivering high‑quality finishing work across complex engineering environments. After completion, employers can support apprentices to move into skilled roles, take on additional responsibilities, or progress into team leadership. Employers may also choose to continue developing staff through higher‑level apprenticeships or specialist technical training aligned with their sector needs.
As an Apprentice
If you are interested in securing an apprenticeship as a Surface Finisher, please visit our Vacancies page to check for any suitable roles.
If there are currently no roles available, please submit an enquiry form using the Enquire Now button above to register your interest. We will use this information to let you know when a suitable vacancy becomes available and also to advise you of any courses we offer that might advance your career goals in the meantime.
Key information
Entry Requirements
The apprenticeship standard does not specify mandatory national entry requirements; however, employers typically look for:
- A good level of English and maths (with apprentices required to achieve Level 2 before gateway if not already held)
- A strong interest in engineering, manufacturing, or finishing processes
- The ability to work with precision, follow safety procedures, and handle tools and equipment responsibly
Employers may set their own additional criteria depending on the sector (marine, aviation, or automotive).
How will the Apprenticeship be funded?
As the employer
How your apprenticeship is funded will depend on whether or not you pay the Apprenticeship Levy. If you do pay the Levy, your apprenticeship will be funded out of this, provided you have sufficient monies available. If you do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy, 95% of the apprenticeship will be funded by the Government, with the remaining 5% being funded by you. There may also be some further incentives offered by the Government which we will be able to advise you of when setting up your apprenticeship. Either way, B&FC's Business Development Team will be on hand to help you navigate the funding arrangements and support you through this process.
As the apprentice
One of the benefits of an apprenticeship is that, as the apprentice, you are not required to fund your training. You will also receive a wage for the work that you do with minimum hourly rates set by the Government. Your employer can choose to pay you more than the minimum wage, but they cannot pay you less. For details of current minimum wage rates for apprentices, please visit the Government website.
What will my Apprentice learn?
Knowledge
By the end of their apprenticeship, your apprentice should understand:
- The aviation surface finishing industry, including the role of aircraft painters/finishers within maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) environments and interactions with engineering, quality and regulatory stakeholders.
- Aviation-specific terminology, technical documentation, drawings and OEM data, including Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM), Structural Repair Manuals (SRM) and technical specifications.
- Aviation regulations and standards governing aircraft refinishing, including civil and military requirements, airworthiness, RVSM considerations and regulator expectations.
- Aircraft substrates and materials, including metals, composites and bonded structures, and how surface preparation and coating selection affect performance and safety.
- Surface preparation, inspection and defect identification processes, including corrosion types, delamination, contamination and post-strip inspection techniques.
- Coating systems used in aviation, including primers, topcoats, matt and gloss finishes, coating thickness measurement and application principles for large complex structures.
- Health, safety and environmental legislation relevant to aviation painting, including COSHH, PPE/RPE requirements, confined spaces and working at height in hangars.
- Quality assurance, documentation and traceability requirements in aviation, including inspection records, defect reporting and continuous improvement principles.
Skills
Your apprentice will learn how to:
- Communicate effectively with engineers, supervisors, quality staff and customers using appropriate aviation terminology and approved communication channels.
- Apply approved aircraft surface preparation, masking, coating and finishing techniques in accordance with OEM instructions, regulatory requirements and organisational procedures.
- Inspect aircraft surfaces before, during and after finishing to identify defects, corrosion or contamination, accurately recording findings using approved documentation.
- Set up and operate spray facilities, tools and equipment safely, maintaining correct environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and ventilation.
- Follow strict safety practices, including working at height, confined space entry, use of PPE/RPE and compliance with COSHH and aviation safety procedures.
- Interpret technical data to correctly position and apply mandatory and customer-selected aircraft markings.
- Complete all required aviation documentation accurately, ensuring traceability of materials, processes and inspections carried out.
- Carry out basic problem-solving, rework and rectification activities within own area of responsibility, escalating issues in line with aviation quality procedures.
Behaviours
Your apprentice should be able to:
- Demonstrate a strong safety-first mindset, maintaining situational awareness and recognising the safety-critical nature of aviation surface finishing work.
- Show commitment to environmental responsibility, minimising waste, managing hazardous materials correctly and protecting the aircraft and environment.
- Take pride in producing high-quality work, understanding the impact of surface finishing on aircraft performance, appearance and airworthiness.
- Display professionalism and customer focus, recognising the importance of meeting regulatory, organisational and customer requirements in aviation.
- Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary aviation team, communicating clearly to support safe and efficient operations.
- Act with integrity, accountability and respect, following aviation procedures precisely and valuing diversity within the workplace.
- Be proactive, detail-oriented and adaptable, responding positively to changing work demands, aircraft types and regulatory requirements.
- Manage time effectively to meet production schedules while never compromising safety, quality or compliance.
Expert Tutors
Tutors delivering this programme at B&FC are industry specialists with extensive experience in engineering, manufacturing, and surface finishing disciplines. They bring real‑world knowledge industry environments and are trained in delivering apprenticeship standards, workplace‑based assessment, and technical coaching. Their expertise ensures apprentices gain both the theoretical understanding and practical competence required by employers.
How will the Apprenticeship be delivered?
The apprenticeship will typically be delivered over a 42-month period with additional time required to prepare for the End Point Assessment. Their time will typically be split 80:20 throughout the apprenticeship programme with this particular apprenticeship being based on a block release model where the apprentice spends one week at B&FC every six weeks.
What support will I get from B&FC?
As the employer
Each employer is supported by an experienced member of our Business Development Team to set up their apprenticeship. For those employers who are completely new to the apprenticeship process, the Team will support them with all the necessary paperwork and administration to get their apprenticeship programme up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible. For existing employers, their dedicated Client Services Manager will be an ongoing point of contact for all their apprenticeship queries, however big or small.
We can also help employers who are looking to recruit new apprentices by advertising their vacancy, finding suitable applicants and supporting them with the interview and selection process. Once an apprentice is onboard, our Curriculum Tutors and Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches also step in to support the employer-apprentice relationship and ensure the apprentice is on track to succeed.
As the apprentice
In the first instance, we aim to give potential apprentices all the support they need to find a suitable apprenticeship. That can mean working with them prior to an application to improve their CV, hone their interview skills and advise them of any additional training that may help them secure an apprenticeship vacancy.
Once they start their apprenticeship, we continue to support them with their off-site training and with regular meetings with our Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches to ensure they are progressing and acquiring all the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will ensure they complete their apprenticeship successfully.
How will the Apprenticeship be assessed?
What is an end-point assessment and why it happens
An EPA is an assessment at the end of the apprenticeship. The EPA is the apprentice's opportunity to show an independent assessor how well they can carry out the occupation they have been trained for.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
- fail
- pass
- distinction
Assessment methods
Practical competence assessment with questions
The apprentice will be observed by an independent assessor carrying out a series of activities During the assessment, the assessor will ask a series of questions designed to test the apprentice's understanding of the tasks being performed.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
During their apprenticeship, the apprentice will compile a portfolio evidencing all the work they have undertaken during their apprenticeship. This will be submitted to an independent assessor and form the basis of the professional discussion which will last at least 60 minutes during which time the assessor will ask a series of questions to determine the apprentice's competencies and ensure they meet the occupational standard.
Knowledge test
The apprentice will sit a multiple-choice knowledge test under exam conditions featuring 25 questions and with a time limit of 60 minutes.