NUMBERS SOAR AT AVIATION MANUFACTURER ONTIC

Ontic, the licensor and manufacturer of established, certified aircraft parts for the global aerospace and defence industries, increased its apprentice numbers by more than 300 per cent last year, with another increase anticipated this year. It is also getting ready to launch its apprenticeship programme in the US next year.

He has been with Ontic since September 2021.

Josh said: “I’ve always been interested in aerospace. Ontic’s apprenticeship is so varied – I’ve got involved in commercial and military aviation, making equipment from flap indicators to helicopter cabin temperature and pressure monitors, andh more. No two days are the same and the team is so encouraging to everyone on its early careers programmes.”

Sanctuary employee wins Apprentice of the Year

An apprentice from Worcester-based housing and care provider Sanctuary has won a prestigious regional award.

Emily Tidmarsh, a customer service apprentice at Sanctuary, was named Intermediate Apprentice of the Year at the West Midlands regional finals of the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Emily was recognised for the outstanding quality of her work within Sanctuary’s care billing team.

Emily has also acted as an ambassador for apprenticeships, championing their benefits and supporting others considering the first steps in their career.

Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) is extending its facility at Culham Science Centre near Abingdon to launch new apprenticeship programmes in space, robotics, data science, energy storage, power engineering and cyber security.

The training centre’s £13 million extension at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) Culham Science Centre is funded by the Fusion Foundations Programme.

This is a government initiative to enable the delivery of fusion, which has great potential to provide sustainable energy for generations to come, through the development of infrastructure, facilities and skills.

David Martin, UKAEA’s Director of Oxfordshire Advanced Skills, said: “It is an exciting time for OAS as we build on our success of equipping the local community and employers with the skills needed to drive fusion energy and adjacent sectors forward. OAS aims to create the next generation of engineering talent and upskill the existing workforce. The new courses will empower UK manufacturers to adopt transformative technology in space and robotics, helping businesses to better compete in the global marketplace.”

Emily said: “My apprenticeship has been a fantastic experience right from the start. I have progressed and developed more than I ever thought possible. Before my apprenticeship, I didn’t know what career I wanted to follow – but now I feel I have really found my calling.”

Sanctuary’s national apprenticeship programme was established in 2008 and has since supported more than 2,000 people into work, both directly and indirectly through development partners.

Michelle Wood, Sanctuary’s Group Head of Learning and Development, said: “We’re huge supporters of apprenticeships at Sanctuary and recognise the value they bring, both for our organisation and in supporting people to develop and realise their goals and ambitions.”