Ayrshire College and partners hold event to promote careers in aerospace
Ayrshire College hosted an event aimed at promoting careers in aerospace at their Aeronautical Engineering Training Centre.
‘All about aero’, organised in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce and SmartSTEMs, brought together college staff, aerospace employers, school pupils, college students and the wider public.
The UK aerospace industry is the second-largest national aerospace industry in the world, and the recent £80million investment from The Ayrshire Growth Deal will fuel local growth opportunities, strengthening the region’s position as a key player in the aerospace and space industries.
Alastair Heron, Head of Learning and Skills – Aerospace, Ayrshire College, said: “The aerospace hub at Prestwick is undergoing substantial growth. The College’s location and purpose-built facilities put us in a prime position to support local businesses with skills development and training needs.
“Our apprentice numbers are growing year on year and we’re increasing the provision of full-time classes to meet demand. We’re also creating more flexible entry points to allow people to upskill or change direction.”
The event saw participation from leading employers in the sector, including GE Caledonian, Spirit AeroSystems, Ryanair, Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Limited, British Airways, Collins Aerospace, Thales, Forensic Eyes and Sigma-io. Former students, now employed at these companies, chatted to attendees and were an inspiring example for the younger audience.
After speaking to employers, pupils from Ardrossan Academy, Greenwood Academy, Kyle Academy, Loudoun Academy, Marr College, Prestwick Academy, Queen Margaret Academy and Stewarton Academy enjoyed an engaging session by SmartSTEMs.
Heather Donnelly, Stakeholder Communications, SmartSTEMs, said: “A huge thank you to all involved in making this event a resounding success. It enabled young people to connect with Scotland's aviation industry, learn about careers and interact with industry professionals. Together, we're empowering the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
“SmartSTEMs is committed to building upon this success by further inspiring young people towards exciting careers in aviation and continuing collaboration with colleges and industry partners.”
This event highlighted the strong relationship that Ayrshire College currently have with their industry partners, demonstrating the commitment to equipping the future workforce with the skills required to meet employer demands.
If you’re interested in pursuing an aerospace career our courses are the perfect place to start. Click here to find out more - https://www1.ayrshire.ac.uk/find-a-course/all-courses/aeronautical/
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