North Wales aerospace firm and apprentices up for national awards

Posted on by karen.smith

One of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, which has its wing manufacturing plant in North Wales, and two of its apprentices have been shortlisted for two prestigious national awards.

Airbus, based at Broughton, Flintshire, is one of 36 finalists in 13 categories of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013, organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW). The aerospace manufacturer is shortlisted for the Macro Employer of the Year award.

Mark Preston, Apprenticeship Programme operations manager at Airbus, with apprentices Alex Birbeck (left) and Daniel Holland

Two of its apprentices, Alex Birbeck and Daniel Holland, have also been shortlisted for the Higher Apprentice of the Year Award.

The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of learners, employers and providers involved in the delivery of quality apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes across Wales. The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with the support of the European Social Fund.

The winners will be announced at a high profile awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Friday, October 18.

The Apprenticeship Programme at Airbus is at the cornerstone of its skills strategy, with excellent talent retention and development, ensuring one of the world’s leading manufacturers of aircraft has a highly skilled workforce.

Currently employing 350 apprentices in a range of roles, the company has been a leading organisation in Europe for supporting apprenticeships for many years and continues to lead within the sector.

“Our Apprenticeship Programme helps us as a company to meet our ambition of growing current and future leaders to support growth within our organisation,” said Mark Preston, Apprenticeship Programme operations manager at Airbus.

“We bring and develop young people into our business, some of which come from school or college and offer development to allow those who want it the opportunity to grow into leadership roles.”

Alex and Daniel both became apprentices with the company after leaving school. They decided apprenticeships offered more opportunities for them than going into university.

“For me personally the main opportunity was to work with and learn from experienced engineers who were experts in their field. This was something that was just not accessible through the university route,” said Alex.

Daniel said: “Over the course of the apprenticeship, I have developed extensive engineering knowledge, which has combined academic work with on the job experience. Working for Airbus as an apprentice has made me feel proud and provided me with invaluable experience.”

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates said: “The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru remind us of the incredible wealth of talent that Wales has to offer and the outstanding achievements of Wales’ learners, employers and learning providers.

“Apprenticeships play an integral role in our economy. Not only do they provide essential skills and qualifications, but are in themselves life-changing opportunities for young people and, for employers, a major investment that’s paying real dividend to their bottom line and in the skills of their workforce.

“We know that apprenticeships deliver real business benefits and that’s why the Welsh Government, with support from the European Social Fund, continues to invest heavily in opportunities for young people to take up apprenticeships and continues to support employers who want to invest in the future of their workforce.

“Through their passion and dedication, the finalists announced at this year’s awards will inspire countless others to strive for excellence and demonstrate the tremendous impact that vocational training can have. I wish all of our finalists the very best as they continue to make great contributions in their chosen fields.”

Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales, the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC with support from media partner, Media Wales.

More than 300 key stakeholders from the vocational education and training sector across Wales are expected to attend the high profile awards ceremony, where guests will dine out with chefs from the Welsh National Culinary Team.

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