North Wales Gets New Foundation Degree in Aeronautical Engineering Sector

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Airbus UK, Deeside College and NEWI Partnership have collaborated to produce a foundation degree in Aeronautical Engineering Manufacture.

The degree has been validated by NEWI and approved by the University of Wales. The workforce of Airbus at Broughton will be the first learners to take the new qualification for a test flight. It is hoped that this move in training will serve to boost Airbus recruitment by attracting talented youngsters who would otherwise be intent on going straight to university.

Employees who have successfully completed their Engineering Apprenticeship programmes will find the foundation degree offers easier progression to honours degree courses. Airbus UK’s Head of Centre of Excellence, Brian Fleet, believes that once employees finish their Foundation Degree they will be able to apply for membership of professional engineering institutions such as the Institute of Electrical Engineers and Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Building on Successful Partnerships

The degree will be jointly delivered at Deeside College in the first year and then at NEWI. Work-based training delivered by Deeside College staff at the Broughton plant will also be linked in. The new programme is part of the Higher Engineering Apprenticeship that has been developed between Airbus, Deeside College and NEWI. It has followed on from the Higher Modern Apprenticeship, which proved to be very successful during the past six years at Broughton.

The Principal and Chief Executive of Deeside College said that the collaborative foundation degree was the first of many that will benefit many different companies and individuals across a variety of sectors. He said: “The Foundation Degree in Aeronautical Engineering builds on our successful partnership with Airbus UK, which was acknowledged in 2004 by the joint award of a UK Special National Training Award by UK Skills.”

Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems have also been working with Airbus training staff to develop the HEA in England under the guidance of SEMTA ““ the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for engineering in aviation. This enables new Airbus recruits to join the scheme at Filton (near Bristol), Broughton’s sister site.

Angela Balakrishnan

Dip your wings in support of the development in the FE Blog

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