Aerospace careers showcased at college event

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 secondlargest national aerospace industry in the world, and the recent £80m 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 at 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 Aviation, Ryanair, Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Limited, British Airways, Collins Aerosystems, 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: “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.”