TWO talented apprentices on course for high-flying careers with Airbus UK have been shortlisted for national accolades.

Rhian Perrin, 21, from Coedpoeth, Wrexham, and Ryan McAnerney, 20, from Saltney Ferry, are two of the 28 finalists in nine categories of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.

The Broughton factory apprentices are nominated for the awards, organised by the Welsh Government in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on October 24.

By completing a higher engineering apprenticeship with Airbus UK, Rhian has become a women into engineering role model. Her primary role at Airbus is to perform design analysis and stress justifications for deviations from drawings that occur in production.

Ryan, an aeronautical engineering craft apprentice, is studying at Deeside College, where he is a student governor, representing all work-based learners.

He has achieved a foundation apprenticeship in engineering operations with distinction and is now working toward an apprenticeship, aiming to become a qualified aircraft fitter by September 2014.

Ryan said: “My desire from an early age was to become an engineer to fulfil my fascination with aircraft, particularly the design, implementation and build.”

Working within the wing excellence team at Airbus UK, he is responsible for various duties including safety, quality, cost, delivery, people and all practical applications of engineering.

Jeff Cuthbert, deputy minister for skills, said: “I am delighted with the standard of this year’s finalists and the variety across all ages and sectors, which shows the strength of the skills being delivered in Wales.”