Aerospace apprenticeship numbers soar at Ayrshire College
Ayrshire College is training a high number of aeronautical engineering apprentices at its Ayr and Kilmarnock campuses for 2019/20.
50 apprentices from seven different employers are starting at the College’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art Aeronautical Engineering Training Centre this year.
Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Ltd, Spirit AeroSystems, Chevron Aircraft Maintenance, Collins Aerospace, Cormack Islander Aircraft, British Airways Maintenance Glasgow, and Loganair are all working in partnership with Ayrshire College to train this year’s aeronautical apprentice intake at Ayr.
A further 15 apprentices from GE Caledonian and two from Woodword Aircraft Engine Systems will study at the College’s Kilmarnock Campus.
Aerospace is a growing sector in Ayrshire, with the imminent investment from the Ayrshire Growth Deal set to create new jobs in the area. Ayrshire College is perfectly placed to prepare people for industry as it’s currently the only college in the west of Scotland to offer Aeronautical Engineering courses.
The new starts take the total number of apprentices from aerospace companies studying at Ayrshire College to almost 200.
Alistair Aird, Curriculum Manager for ACES at the Ayr Campus, said: “It is testament to the quality of our learning and teaching provision that employers are sending their apprentices here. We have always had an excellent relationship with employers in the local aerospace hub but this year we have managed to attract apprentices from further afield too.
“Some of the apprentices will study an academic component - either the NC in Aeronautical Engineering or an HNC in Aircraft Engineering – and develop their handskills by undertaking the SVQ Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations course. Others will supplement the latter with study towards their B1/B2 Part-66 EASA Licence modules.”
Stuart Millar, Head of Apprenticeships and Work Based Learning at Ayrshire College, said: “It is very encouraging for Ayrshire to see such strength and growth in our aerospace sector. With this growth resulting in companies recruiting more apprentices each year, there are great opportunities for young people to start a rewarding career in this sector.”
30 August 2019
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