Foundation Apprenticeship programme is proving to be the perfect platform for launching a career in aerospace
A significant number of school pupils who completed Ayrshire College’s Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering last year have been directly recruited into the aerospace industry.
The two-year course is available to S5 pupils across Ayrshire as an option to study alongside other school subjects, and is a great start towards a Modern Apprenticeship. The course also offers pupils an industrial placement between their first and second year of study.
Figures gathered by Ayrshire College have shown a steady rise in direct employment following the successful completion of the Foundation Apprenticeship. Local employers like Spirit AeroSystems, GE Caledonian and Collins Aerospace have praised the course, particularly Year 2, where pupils complete the five Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) units. The feedback received suggests the course is equipping young people with the necessary hand skills for the industry.
As the profile of the Foundation Apprenticeship has grown, so too has its successful outcomes, with 43% of pupils in 2021/22 progressing into aerospace employment compared to 25% in 2018/19.
The Foundation Apprenticeship has recruited well for session 2023/34 too, and the Aerospace team at Ayrshire College hope this positive destination data will continue to encourage school pupils to consider this route.
Dougie McClinton, one of the Ayrshire College lecturers who teaches the Foundation Apprenticeship group, said: “For a number of years now, we have seen many of our pupils go on to enter the aerospace workforce. Our foundation apprenticeship group experience work placements in Year 1, which helps them determine whether the career is right for them. I would have to think our numbers must be some of the best in the college sector for recruiting directly from a schools course.
“We have close links with major aerospace employers and our PEO course is now listed as an essential qualification for many of their apprenticeship programmes. It’s great to see so many pupils progress with us and it’s further evidence that Ayrshire College is meeting the current and future skills needs of the industry.”
23 October 2023
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