Celebrating skill-based employment: Honoring National Apprenticeship Week in the UK
In September 2023, Airbus Defence and Space Newport site welcomed its first ever cohort of Degree Apprentices in Cyber UK, marking a significant step in the company's commitment to nurturing young talent. This was part of a wider celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, during which Airbus UK hosted a full schedule of activities across their sites.
The Cyber team at Newport works closely with universities to ensure that the work apprentices carry out onsite aligns with their academic studies. This approach is central to the ethos of apprenticeships, which are designed to provide practical training while completing studies.
Airbus supports apprentices by paying for them to take their studies on at university if they complete their apprenticeship. This opportunity is available to the majority of Airbus's apprentices, who are employed in the commercial aircraft business, with over 250 across two major UK sites. The Defence and Space division employs 71 apprentices, and the Helicopters division employs 5.
One of the new apprentices at the Newport site noted that it has been a non-stop learning experience. Airbus looks for apprentices who have a passion for learning and want to work in an industry that is always looking to the future.
During National Apprenticeship Week 2024, Airbus UK's apprenticeship activities focused on engaging apprentices through practical, hands-on workshops that developed skills such as mechanical and electrical assembly, teamwork, and problem-solving. A highlighted activity was a production workshop where apprentices assembled electric scooters in teams, which were evaluated on quality, safety, and collaboration, culminating in a competitive obstacle course event.
This emphasis on practical skills and teamwork reflects Airbus UK's commitment to providing apprentices with real-world manufacturing experience and collaborative project challenges. The Rt Hon Robert Halforn MP visited Airbus's Filton plant and met with apprentices to discuss aerospace apprenticeships.
Airbus also reached out to local schools, hosting a STEM Day in their Filton plant for 58 students to learn about the opportunities of a future career in aerospace. Apprentices from Airbus's Defence & Space division also visited local schools to talk about the opportunities a career at Airbus can offer.
In addition, apprentices from across Airbus UK attended a reception in Parliament hosted by the ADS Group, meeting senior government officials and networking with apprentices from other companies. A further six apprentices are scheduled to join the team in September 2024 at Airbus Defence and Space Newport site.
There are over 30 apprentices each at the Portsmouth and Stevenage sites developing skills for the future space industry. Airbus strongly believes that recruiting apprentices is a productive and effective way to grow talent, and this commitment is evident in their ongoing efforts to provide practical, engaging, and collaborative learning experiences for their apprentices.
[1] Source: Airbus UK Press Release, National Apprenticeship Week 2024 Activities, [Accessed 15th May 2023]. Available from: https://www.airbus.com/company/newsroom/press-releases/en/2024/03/airbus-uk-announces-national-apprenticeship-week-activities.html
- Airbus Defence and Space Newport site, along with other Airbus UK sites, is committed to growing talent through apprenticeships in the aerospace industry, finance, and business, as part of their initiative for education-and-self-development and career-development.
- The Cyber team at Newport collaborates with universities to ensure apprentices gain practical skills and align their academic studies with on-site work, reflecting Airbus's focus on learning and real-world manufacturing experience.
- In addition to commercial aircraft business, apprentices work in the Defence and Space division and Helicopters division, with opportunities for further education if they complete their apprenticeships.
- The apprenticeship programs at Airbus UK offer various workshops and activities, such as mechanical and electrical assembly, teamwork, problem-solving, and skills-training, to prepare these young talents for success in their future careers.
