The Nantgarw overhaul facility, based just north of Cardiff, played host to the graduation of 27 engineering and business administration apprentices on Wednesday 13 November. The apprentices received their certificate and award from Managing Director, Nick Blakeney, and special guest for the event, Welsh Labour AM for Pontypridd, Mick Antoniw. The Principal of Coleg y Cymoedd (GE Aviation Wales FE partner), Karen Phillips along with college tutors also attended.
In addition to celebrating all the apprentices who joined the business, GE Aviation Wales also recognised Mathew Riley, George Denman and Sally Smart with the additional accolades as the Engineering, Business and Company Apprentices of the Year.
The GE Aviation Wales apprenticeship programme is coordinated by Louise Burnell and Miles Thomas at site, in close partnership with Coleg y Cymoedd. This relationship allows GE to equip apprentices with the academic and technical qualifications they need to thrive as employees. The apprenticeship programme is spread over three years and typically attracts around 450 applications. 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, managing director said: “We are incredibly proud of the apprentice programme. It is a vital part of how we grow and improve at GE Aviation Wales.
“It is fantastic to welcome our graduating apprentices to the business and to celebrate their three years of achievements. Our apprentices are integral to the future success of our business in South Wales and around the world. It is through our apprenticeship programme that we can enhance existing employees’ skills and develop the next generation of talent and experience.
“Congratulations to everyone, but I’d also like to particularly call out Mathew Riley, George Denman and Sally Smart; our three Apprentices of the Year; the business will be looking to you and your fellow graduates to help support the future of our business as we continue to grow.”
In addition to combining technical training and classroom teaching, GE Aviation Wales also provides personal and professional development opportunities for all apprentices. By getting the apprentices involved in school partnership projects, careers fairs, volunteering projects and programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, GE helps to develop well-rounded individuals who are better able to integrate with teams across the business.
