16/09/08

THESE are the nation’s first apprentices to start an innovative new programme offered by Exeter College and Flybe.

They will study for four years towards a new framework of qualifications in Aerospace Engineering.

It is the first apprenticeship of its kind in the country and will allow students to gain recognised industry requirements leading directly to employment.

These 33 young people will gain the qualifications and hands-on experience required to become a licensed aircraft engineers, earning a minimum of £30k by the time they are 21.

Unlike most apprenticeships where students spend most of their time training in the workplace with one day a week at college, these new apprentices will study full-time at college for two years before gaining on-the-job training in a real airline environment at Flybe’s headquarters at Exeter International Airport.

Chris Lorimer, Head of Business and Marketing at Exeter College, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for all the new apprentices who will gain industry-leading qualifications and a career with a dynamic and respected employer.

“The course has been so popular it has attracted high-calibre recruits from as far afield as Manchester.”

Flybe’s Director of Safety, Quality & Training, Simon Witts adds:

“We have been overwhelmed by the response to this unique engineering qualification in partnership with Exeter College. This marks the real-time start of our new qualification training plan which, in due course, will overlay our entire training offering.

“With the aviation industry as a whole facing a shortage of engineers, we fully expect this programme to be adopted by other major airlines as well as by other transport providers.”

Both partners believe the immediate success of this initial apprenticeship programme will pave the way for other apprenticeship schemes that will have a stronger academic focus in addition to the normal, work-related training currently on offer.