Ayrshire College was named Training Partner of the Year at last year’s SEMTA Skills Awards as a result of the tremendous relationships the College has formed with industry partners. The College is a key part of the Prestwick Aerospace group at both an operational and strategic level and utilises its position within the group to engage with employers.
Students enrolled on the College’s aeronautical courses are benefitting hugely from these partnerships, with many organisations in the aerospace sector deciding to recruit directly from Ayrshire College’s pool of students.
College staff regularly meets with employers at Aerospace Skills Forums. These forums are supported by one-to-one meetings with employers. Hearing directly from employers about where the specific skills gaps are in the industry allows the College to develop and enhance its course provision.
Craig Maxwell was an HNC student at the College last year who has been recruited by Ryanair.
Craig said “From an early age I have wanted a job in aerospace, as my parents would take me to Prestwick Airport to watch aircraft take off and land.
“With Ryanair I now have the opportunity to work with live aircraft and obtain engineering qualifications which will help me gain valuable skills and experience in the field.
“Ayrshire College helped me achieve my goal of becoming an apprentice. The HNC was useful when I was applying for apprenticeships, as it made me stick out from the candidates applying straight from school.”
Alistair Aird, Curriculum Manager at Ayrshire College, said “There has never been a better time to enrol on one of our aeronautical courses. We have worked diligently to build high profile partnerships with industry leaders, to the benefit of everyone.
“More and more of our students are gaining employment in the sector which is fantastic confirmation that we are producing highly skilled students who meet the needs of local and national aerospace employers.”
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