Aerospace Industrial Cadets Programme

Providing the new industry standard for workplace experiences

The Aerospace Industrial Cadets Programme (AICP) was initiated by the Aerospace Growth Partnership Skills Group as an initiative in association with the national workplace experience accreditation Industrial Cadets to tackle the industry skills shortage at its root. The AICP enables companies in the sector to deliver high quality workplace experiences to young people in their recruitment catchment area. This ensures that as many suitable candidates as possible are encouraged to study subjects relevant to aerospace careers and that they are aware of and encouraged into jobs that are available in the industry.

“I am particularly aware of the gap between schools and industry, which means that many very able young people often simply don’t know about the careers that are available in their local industries.” Chris Steel, Chairman of AVPE

This employer focused quality accreditation programme will inform and inspire young people aged 11- 19 about the Aerospace Industry. AICP will provide a structure for the Aerospace sector to communicate with young people and reward them for work experiences at Bronze, Silver or Gold levels – it will be a key support to the apprenticeship pipeline. The AICP framework focuses on motivating young people to enter the aerospace sector by providing career information and developing their creativity, collaboration, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, digital, personal and interpersonal skills; 

Since 2012 AICP has:

• Graduated 6200+ as Industrial Cadets.
• Accredited over 100,000+ learner-training hours.
• Engaged with 350 employers.
• Trained 530+ IC mentors.
• Helped 95% of cadets feel their personal skills had improved.
• Graduated 45% female cadets.
• Helped 70% of Cadets feel they are more likely to enter industry as direct result of the AICP.

Employer benefits of the programme include strengthening the company journey with student programmes, giving potential cost savings in work experience programmes and aligning companies with an industry recognised accreditation inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales. It also offers the opportunity for staff to develop personal skills though mentor and schools engagement training and giving access to the AICP Online Network for employers and students across the whole UK.

Companies’ activities can be accredited to AICP levels and backed up with resources specific to the Aerospace sector. Resources include sector certificates, awards, careers materials, sector presence on AICP Network and sector careers information on the Online network. The AICP Cadet toolkit with case examples provides starter packs which give guidelines on how to join/participate in IC, how to engage with schools/young people and how to conduct Mentor/School Engagement training sessions.

Companies in the Aerospace sector who would like explore working with the Aerospace Industrial Cadet Programme should contact industrialcadets@etrust.org.uk and visit our website at http://www.industrialcadets.org.uk