Skills Development Scotland (S.D.S.) co-ordinates ‘Scottish Apprenticeship week’ annually to encourage uptake of Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships by employers and individuals. This is an opportunity for businesses to raise awareness of the apprenticeships available within their organisation and how this can  unlock potential in young people.

 

Spirit fully supports this opportunity both as a business and from an industry perspective. Recently Spirit  joined forces with other local Aerospace companies and learning partners to host an event focused on Aerospace.

 

The objective of the event was to provide Ayrshire secondary schools the ability to attend a ‘one stop shop’ with information on all the local opportunities within Aerospace. Furthermore, it is hoped that this collaborative approach to young people’s career guidance would  provide local businesses with the next generation of Aerospace engineers.

 

The day commenced with a brief overview of the event objective followed by the chance to visit business stands to allow pupils to learn more about the companies and understand how this might impact their option choices aligned to the school curriculum. Apprentices currently working for the company’s participating also provided detailed information on the apprenticeship hiring process. The students also enjoyed a  tour of Spirit’s AeroSpace Innovation Centre.

 

Thanks to the local schools that attended the event:

 

• Auchenharvie Academy
• Garnock Academy
• Girvan Academy
• Greenwood Academy
• Kyle Academy
• Marr College
• Queen Margaret Academy
• Stewarton Academy

 

And to the industry and partners that joined Spirit:

 

• Chevron
• Collins Aerospace
• G.E. Caledonian
• Ryanair
• Woodward
• Ayrshire College
• D.Y.W. Ayrshire
• Skills Development Scotland
• University of Strathclyde

 

Many thanks to all the attendees, the companies who gave up their time to make the day a success, and to the Developing the Young Workforce Team at the Chamber of Commerce for co-ordinating the event.