Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes Visits Ayrshire College to Spotlight Aeronautical Innovation and Workforce Development
Ayrshire College welcomed Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes for a high-profile visit to the College’s Aeronautical Engineering Training Centre, showcasing Ayrshire College’s pivotal role in building a skilled workforce to support Scotland’s aerospace industry and beyond.
During the visit, the Deputy First Minister—who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for the Economy—met with Ayrshire College’s Executive Leadership Team to discuss the College’s initiatives in skills development, digital innovation, and industry partnerships. Through its industry-aligned facilities, including a training hangar and teaching centre at Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire College continues to make significant investments across its aeronautical offerings, strengthening its position as a national leader in aerospace education.
Angela Cox, Principal and Chief Executive of Ayrshire College, expressed her enthusiasm for the visit: "It was an honour to welcome the Deputy First Minister and to discuss our vision for creating a workforce that meets the needs of Scotland’s thriving aerospace industry. Through our partnerships with leading companies and our innovative approaches, we are empowering our students and businesses with the practical, cutting-edge skills they need to excel. This aligns with our mission of ‘Empowering People for a Changing World’ by shaping a resilient and future-ready workforce.”
The Aeronautical Engineering Training Centre—the College’s current hub for aerospace training—houses two workshops equipped with industry-standard equipment and a composites lab designed to train students, apprentices, and engineering employees in advanced composites, a key area for the future of aerospace. The Minister toured the Centre, meeting apprentices and speaking directly with leaders from the Ayrshire aerospace cluster, including Spirit AeroSystems, Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace, Woodward Aircraft Engine Systems, Ryanair, and Storm Aviation.
The College currently supports over 1,300 apprentices, with nearly 500 in engineering disciplines. This approach aligns with Ayrshire College’s goal of addressing skills shortages and strengthening local economies by preparing students for long-term careers in high-demand fields.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “The aerospace sector is strategically important to Scotland’s economy and we have all the key elements to be internationally competitive – a highly skilled workforce, a high proportion of graduates and industry-leading apprenticeship programmes.
“Ayrshire College plays a crucial role in supporting and developing this pipeline of talent, and I was delighted to visit the Aeronautical Engineering Training Centre to find out more about its skills development programme and meet with apprentices who are benefitting from the programme.”
The Minister’s visit also highlighted Ayrshire College’s role as a partner of choice for industry, a commitment reinforced through collaborations with regional aerospace giants. This ongoing work has enabled Ayrshire College to deliver outstanding experiences for students and apprentices and create pathways to sustainable employment that support the region’s growth and innovation priorities.
As the visit concluded, the minister joined College representatives, approximately 80 apprentices, and industry partners for a group photo—a moment symbolising the continued collaboration between Ayrshire College, government, and industry to meet Scotland’s evolving workforce needs.
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