Leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus has welcomed 80 new apprentices to its schemes in the UK, following thousands of others who have gone on to successful aerospace careers with the company as a result of apprenticeships.
A further 30 existing Airbus staff will be developing their career by embarking on apprenticeships, upskilling from their existing roles.
As well as the apprentices, Airbus is also taking on 46 engineering graduates and around 60 on paid internships covering a diverse selection of roles from engineering to human resources and finance.
Head of the Airbus early careers programme Gary Griffiths said: “The aerospace sector is constantly moving forward, so developing new skills and talent for our own business is a very sound investment.
“Our early career programmes have been a valuable springboard for many people wanting to fulfil their ambitions of a career in aerospace. As a company, we benefit from highly motivated and highly skilled individuals who bring new ideas and approaches – essential in such a fast moving environment.”
“The UK has the largest aerospace sector in Europe and the second largest in the world. It is by investing in the future through apprenticeships and other early learning programmes that we can ensure the UK remains a leader.”
A total of 35 graduates and 27 apprentices joined the Filton plant, which employs around 4,000 people and assembles the wings for the Airbus Military A400M military transporter as well as being the base for a range of design, testing, research and development roles.
A further 56 apprentices and 11 graduates joined the Broughton plant, which assembles the wings for the entire family of Airbus aircraft, from the A320 single aisle family right up to the iconic A380.
Amongst the 80 apprentices, some 42 have joined the Undergraduate Apprenticeship programme in 2013. Essentially a sponsored bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering, the apprentices gain their qualifications while also receiving a salary and gaining vital experience with a major manufacturer.
The Airbus in the UK apprenticeship schemes are accredited by the Engineering Council through the Royal Aeronautical Society and schemes include:
• Undergraduate Apprenticeship - Our Undergraduate Apprenticeship in Engineering leads to a BEng with Honours Aeronautical Engineering (Manufacture) in the third year, a combination of job-related and academic training provides a real alternative to university. Participants are given the opportunity to attain a degree without the accompanying debt (at present the apprentice would earn around 50k during the 38
month apprenticeship). Applications for this programme will open next month and more details can be found at www.airbus.com/work.
• Higher Supply Chain Logistics apprenticeship - Supply chain logistics support the integrated supply chains within all areas of the business. It manages the supply base of hundreds of external suppliers responsible for parts and materials consumed during the manufacture process.
• Craft Apprenticeship - Through a Craft Apprenticeship you can become a skilled craftsman e.g. Aircraft mechanical/electrical, during the 38 month apprenticeship you would be expected to complete both academic and vocational qualifications to satisfy the framework.
Around 70 per cent of the current senior management team at Airbus in the UK began their careers as apprentices, demonstrating the potential that exists for career progression by choosing apprenticeships over more traditional academic routes.