Skills

As the UK’s aerospace sector positions itself for growth, it is imperative that the industry has the right people for the job. The AGP Skills Working Group focuses on helping deliver the high level skills UK Aerospace needs to meet these current and future growth opportunities and secure the UK’s competitive position in the global aerospace market.

Over 50 companies across the sector, from tier 1 through to 5, together with the Regional Aerospace Alliances, are engaged in various degrees and levels in AGP Skills activities to develop a pipeline of diverse, skilled and qualified individuals to support the demands of the industry. Together, government and these partnered employers and alliances have designed and launched a series of initiatives that deliver on the skills challenges by providing sustainable solutions.

Up-skilling the sectors current workforce has been addressed through the design of specialist courses in areas identified as key capabilities to UK Aerospace such as Fatigue & Damage Tolerance, Landing Gear and Composites. The Project Management and Knowledge Management Projects develop awareness and capability in these areas for improved company performance and accelerated learning.

With an eye to the future, there have been a number of successes with initiatives to develop talented young individuals looking for a career in aerospace. These range from the awarding of bursaries for Masters-level degrees in aerospace, to the delivery of Apprenticeships, work experience and traineeships across the sector.

Key priorities for the skills group include initiatives to promote University Technical Colleges (UTCs), the Aerospace Industrial Cadets programme and also focus on the skills needs of SMEs in the UK Aerospace Supply chain.