Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James, has congratulated this year’s graduates from British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) for successfully completing their apprenticeships.
BAMC has a long pedigree in training their own apprentices for work at their facility in Cardiff airport. They receive in excess of 350 applications, taking on 15 students every other year.
Working with the two main further education providers in South East Wales, Coleg y Cymoedd and Cardiff & Vale College, they have a BAMC Class. They aim to find employment for every apprentice who completes the three year programme.
The apprenticeship programme for which they are having the graduation ceremony is run in conjunction with Coleg Y Cymoedd. Their separate Higher Apprenticeship Programme is run with Cardiff & Vale College.
The apprenticeship is in Engineering Manufacture (Aerospace). In year one they undertake a foundation programme which is wholly class based. In year 2 they study to NVQ Level 2 and also undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate and in year 3 they study to NVQ Level 3.
Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James said:
“BAMC’s comprehensive approach to training produces high-quality employees well equipped to take on the challenges of their future roles.
“I congratulate this year’s successful graduates and wish them all the best for the future.
“I am also very pleased to note that two of this year’s graduates are women. I would like to see more young women take an interest – and be encouraged into – a rewarding career in engineering.
“The Skills Gateway in Wales reports that 80% of employers agree apprentices make their workplace more productive and 83% rely on apprenticeships to provide their skilled workers for the future.
“This is why we have committed to a minimum of 100,000 all age apprenticeships to be delivered over the next five years, supplying Wales with a diverse, capable and prepared labour force.”
The Apprenticeship programme is currently supported by £83m from the European Social Fund (ESF). The Welsh Government is committed to delivering our EU funding programmes, creating a minimum of 100,000 all-age apprenticeship opportunities to support individuals and to help employers in growing their businesses.
British Airways Head of Engineering Business Units and Heavy Maintenance, Matthew Hancox, said:
“We’re proud of our apprentices and want to celebrate their successes.
“We strive to offer all our people, including our apprentices, the very best training opportunities and courses possible and believe that our apprenticeship scheme can rival any in Wales.
“We have a great team at BAMC, with a fantastic approach to developing our next generation of talent.”
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