Hiring and Sponsoring Aircraft maintenance and related trades (SOC Code 5234)

Aircraft Maintenance and Related Trades, classified under SOC Code 5234, are skilled professionals essential to ensuring the safety and performance of aircraft. Their role encompasses a variety of critical tasks, which include:

• Examining Technical Drawings: Analyzing drawings, manuals, and specifications to determine appropriate methods and sequences of operations for aircraft maintenance.
• Fitting and Assembling Parts: Assembling parts and metal sub-assemblies to fine tolerances necessary for the construction and repair of aircraft engines.
• Replacing Components: Efficiently replacing engine components or entire engines and installing electrical and electronic components and systems within aircraft.
• Inspecting Aircraft Components: Examining and inspecting airframes and aircraft components, such as landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers, to identify wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other potential issues.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Carrying out maintenance, repairs, and rebuilding of aircraft structures, functional components, and parts to ensure optimal operation.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining comprehensive repair logs to track maintenance activities and comply with safety regulations.

As the aviation industry continues to expand, the demand for qualified aircraft maintenance professionals has increased, leading many companies to look for skilled workers domestically and internationally. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the hiring process and sponsorship for aircraft maintenance personnel under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Aircraft maintenance and related trades?

SOC Code 5234 refers to professionals in the aircraft maintenance and related trades who ensure the safety and functionality of aircraft through skilled inspection, repair, and maintenance. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining technical documentation: Analyzing drawings, manuals, and specifications to determine appropriate methods and sequences of operations.
• Fitting and assembling parts: Assembling parts and metal sub-assemblies to fine tolerances to manufacture aircraft engines.
• Replacing engine components: Removing and installing engine components or complete engines, as well as electrical and electronic systems in aircraft.
• Conducting inspections: Examining airframes and various aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers, to detect wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other issues.
• Performing maintenance and repairs: Maintaining, repairing, and rebuilding aircraft structures, functional components, and parts to ensure safe operation.
• Maintaining records: Keeping comprehensive repair logs to document the maintenance history and repair activities performed on the aircraft.

Professionals in aircraft maintenance play a pivotal role in the aviation industry, ensuring the highest standards of safety and reliability for air travel.

Eligibility to Hire Aircraft maintenance and related trades (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Candidates for the Aircraft Maintenance and Related Trades position must demonstrate their technical knowledge and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Technical Skills: Proficient in examining drawings, manuals, and specifications to determine appropriate methods and sequence of operations.
• Assembly Expertise: Experience in fitting and assembling parts and/or metal sub-assemblies to fine tolerances, specifically for aircraft engines.
• Component Replacement: Proven ability to replace engine components or entire engines, as well as install and test electrical and electronic components and systems in aircraft.
• Inspection Proficiency: Comfortable inspecting airframes and aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers, to detect wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other issues.
• Repair and Maintenance: Demonstrated experience in maintaining, repairing, and rebuilding aircraft structures, functional components, and parts.
• Documentation Skills: Ability to maintain comprehensive repair logs that meet regulatory and organizational standards.
• Certification: Relevant certifications and licenses in aircraft maintenance are highly desirable.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 5234 and that the candidates’ experience and work meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Aircraft maintenance and related trades: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Aircraft maintenance and related trades under SOC Code 5234.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Aircraft maintenance and related trades, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Aircraft maintenance and related trades under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Aircraft maintenance and related trades. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Aircraft maintenance and related trades applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Aircraft maintenance and related trades’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Aircraft maintenance and related trades can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Aircraft maintenance and related trades

Before the Aircraft maintenance and related trades begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Aircraft maintenance and related trades’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Aircraft maintenance and related trades holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Aircraft maintenance and related trades’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Aircraft maintenance and related trades’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Aircraft maintenance and related tradess.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Aircraft maintenance and related trades

Sponsoring Aircraft maintenance and related trades under SOC Code 5234 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Aircraft maintenance and related trades, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Aircraft maintenance and related trades under SOC Code 5234 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.