A PIONEERING new engineering apprenticeship which is the first of its kind in the country is being launched by Exeter College and Flybe.

The four-year pilot will equip up to 30 learners with an industry-relevant qualification in Aerospace Engineering and a Foundation Degree in Engineering and Maintenance.

It will give apprentices the first, valuable steps towards becoming licensed aircraft engineers with an earning potential of £30k+ at the age of 21 and market-leading qualifications.

Unlike most apprenticeships where students spend most of their time training in the workplace and one day a week at college, this new scheme will give them the chance to study full-time at college for two years before gaining on-the-job training in a real airline environment at Flybe’s head quarters in Exeter International Airport.

This will be the first programme of its kind in the country where apprentices stay in full-time education to study for a Foundation Degree after completing an industry-relevant qualification.

It could pave the way for other new apprenticeship schemes to have a stronger academic focus in addition to the normal, work-related training.

In the future, this new style of engineering training could also be replicated by other major airlines and transport providers, which are collectively facing a shortage of engineers.

Students interested in pursuing this demanding new programme should apply to Exeter College’s admissions office now.

Chris Lorimer, head of business and marketing at Exeter College, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people who want industry-leading qualifications and a career with a dynamic and respected employer.

Simon Witts, director of safety, quality and training at Flybe, said: ‘Flybe are delighted to be able to launch this new and innovative Apprenticeship Programme in partnership with Exeter College. “We have a long and proud history of Apprentice training in the company and the opportunity to update and modernise the programme is excellent for us, to enable us to offer exciting opportunities for talented young people, grow our maintenance facility here in Exeter and our line maintenance operations around the network. “This is a highly innovative programme enabling the right blend of theoretical knowledge and practical modern commercial aircraft training – something which we have found that other programmes lack as our recent recruitment experience has shown.”

The deadline for sending in applications for the engineering apprenticeship is May 2.
For more information please ring Exeter College
Telephone: 0845 1116000
or go to: www.exe-coll.ac.uk/Employers/Flybe.aspx.