THE next generation is proving it has what it takes as about 100 young people join Airbus UK’s award-winning apprentice programme at the wing manufacturing plant in Broughton.

A further 25 have joined the company at its sister site in Filton, near Bristol.

The three-year Airbus apprenticeship scheme is recognised as a benchmark programme in the aerospace industry. This year it has attracted applicants from across the region, the UK and Ireland.

Airbus works in partnership with accredited colleges and universities to provide training to its employees. The craft apprenticeship leads to NVQ level 3 (Modern or Advanced Modern) and the higher apprenticeships (Higher Modern) leads to NVQ level 4 in Engineering Management and a Foundation Degree.

After their induction, apprentices at both sites start their initial training this week – the Broughton apprentices at Deeside College and the Filton Apprentices at the City of Bristol College.

During the first of their three years apprentices spend a majority of their time in the colleges. In their second and third years they join the workforce on placements within the business, this allows them to experience work-based learning in different areas of the organisation.

The keen apprentices cannot wait to get involved and start to learn skills in the classroom and through practical experience.

Sam Harrison, 17, from Broughton, who attended St David’s High School, said: ‘I feel very proud to have been chosen as one of the few from a large number of applicants and am looking forward to starting the scheme and making new friends.’

Alex Jones, 16, from Penyffordd, who attended Castell Alun High School, said: ‘I am really pleased to be starting here at Airbus.

‘By being a part of such a renowned programme, I feel optimistic I have a secure career within manufacturing.’

Jeremy Cieslik, the new vice-president of operations at the Airbus Wing Centre of Excellence for Broughton and Filton, said: ‘We have again had an overwhelming response from applicants this year.’