Aircraft engineering business, GE Aviation Wales, based in Nantgarw, has been shortlisted for two Made in Wales awards.
The awards, managed by Wales Business Insider, celebrate the great innovations, ideas and products from the most innovative and dynamic manufacturers across Wales. GE has been shortlisted for both the Manufacturing Apprenticeship/Training Scheme and Collaboration awards.
The apprenticeship category looks at companies in Wales which are doing the most to further the cause of apprenticeships and the general training and upskilling of its workforce. The Collaboration category recognises manufacturing businesses which have developed a significant relationship with a third party – in this case, Coleg y Cymoedd.
Coleg y Cymoedd is the key delivery partner for the GE Aviation Wales apprenticeship programme.
The partnership allows GE to equip apprentices with the academic and technical qualifications they need to thrive as employees.
The programme is spread over three years and attracts around 450 applications for just 25 positions.
On average 95% of apprentices who graduate from the programme stay with the business and over one third of the current workforce at the Nantgarw site joined as apprentices.
Nick Blakeney, Site Leader at GE Aviation Wales said: “Our business is built on skilled and talented individuals from across Wales and around the world. We are extremely proud of our apprenticeship programme, through which we work hard to develop the next generation of talent and experience.
Judith Evans, Principal at Coleg y Cymoedd added:“The partnership is unique. We work to overcome barriers, we are responsive to industry needs and work together to encourage young people to enter a fantastic career with a supportive employer.”
Would like this opportunity to seek the skills I need on this engineering apprenticeship, have always took an interest in engineering from a very young age and is still a big passion of mine , over the years as I’m getting older and a little wiser I reflect back as where I am right now, I’m in a job that doesn’t pay well I work all the hours and don’t get any satisfaction from the job, I know this is the best time for me to get something I have always felt so strong and passionate about and that is engineering.
Would be so grateful to be part of a team on your apprenticeship course.
Thank you Rhys Griffiths.