Airbus UK Apprentices in line for National Awards
Two talented apprentices, who are on course for high-flying careers with leading Welsh company Airbus UK in Broughton, have been shortlisted for prestigious national awards.
Rhian Perrin, 21, from Coedpoeth, Wrexham and Ryan McAnerney, 20, from Saltney Ferry, are two of the 28 finalists in nine categories of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, organised by the Welsh Government in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).
The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru recognise the outstanding achievements of learners, employers and providers involved in the delivery of quality Apprenticeships across Wales. Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes in Wales are part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.
The winners will be announced at a high profile awards presentation ceremony at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on Wednesday, October 24, where the winners of the National Training Awards for Wales will also be recognised. The joint awards which will be attended by around 300 key stakeholders from the vocational education and training sector across Wales.
Sponsor of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, which aim to showcase excellence in skills development in Wales, is Pearson and media partner is Media Wales.
By completing a Higher Engineering Apprenticeship with Airbus UK Rhian has become a Women into Engineering role model. She visits schools, colleges and events to promote engineering as an exciting career for young women.
“I didn’t really think about a career in engineering until I was in the sixth form and I wish someone had come to my school and explained that it was not just a male environment,” she explains. “Engineering is open to everyone.”
Rhian’s three year Apprenticeship involved periods of study at both Deeside College and Glyndwr University, where she first achieved a Foundation Apprenticeship in Performing Engineering Operations in Aircraft Fitting, a Foundation Degree with distinctions in Aeronautical and Mechanical Manufacturing at Levels 4 and 5 and an NVQ Level 4 in Engineering Leadership.
Next up for Rhian, who left school with 12 GCSEs and three A levels, is a BEng honours degree in Aeronautical and Mechanical Manufacturing and further courses to improve her skills and knowledge as a design/stress engineer.
Her primary role at Airbus is to perform design analysis and stress justifications for deviations from drawings that occur in production. She has worked on important projects to upgrade two in-service A330 aircraft and a gear rib repair, which saved the company 850,000 Euros.
Ryan, an Aeronautical Engineering Craft Apprentice, is studying at Deeside College, where he is a Student Governor, representing all work based learners.
He has achieved a Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering Operations with distinction and is now working towards an Apprenticeship, with the focus of becoming a qualified aircraft fitter by September 2014.
He previously achieved 14 GCSEs at A* to B grades, three A levels and a Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance/Operations, which he studied at The City of Bristol College.
“I worked hard to ensure an academic base to achieve my career aspirations,” explained Ryan. “My desire from an early age was to become an engineer to fulfil my fascination with aircraft, particularly the design, implementation and build.”
Working within the wing excellence team at Airbus UK, he is responsible for various duties including safety, quality, cost, delivery, people and all practical applications of engineering.
Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert said: “These awards recognise excellence by individuals, employers and learning providers in delivering training. I am delighted with the standard of this year’s finalists and the variety across all ages and sectors, which shows the strength of the skills being delivered in Wales.
“All the finalists have an inspiring story to tell and are great ambassadors for apprenticeship and other programmes in Wales.
“The skills acquired through programmes, such as Apprenticeships, provide great benefits to individuals and employers, helping make Welsh businesses more competitive.
“The Welsh Government is committed to creating more apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Wales and continuing to support employers who are willing to offer high quality apprenticeship places.”
The NTfW is a network 116 quality assured work based training providers with links to 35,000 employers across Wales.
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