GE Aviation

Gloucestershire-based GE Aviation is one of the top five avionics and electrical power systems plants in the world, and its business is growing. It faces an urgent and ongoing need for new entrants, but the number of young people and graduates taking science and technical subjects is dwindling. GE Aviation plans a large work experience and school engagement programme that includes its own apprenticeship programme and the development of its young employees as industry mentors in schools. It aims to encourage the next generation of the local community into employment in the avionics industry.

The skills challenges

GE Aviation’s Cheltenham plant employs 1,600 people in areas ranging from software and hardware design to the development of power distribution systems for commercial and military aircraft. Some parts of the business are projected to grow by up to 30% in the next three to five years but the company is facing major recruitment challenges to meet this growth. Fewer young people and graduates are opting for STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and many courses are not delivering ‘work ready’ trainees. Limited careers advice also means that young people may not realise the opportunities the sector offers them.

“It’s a chance to commit to young people in schools and colleges and give them opportunities to work in the future of flight.”
Alan Jones, Executive Site Leader, Cheltenham, GE Aviation

The solution

GE Aviation’s integrated solution involves young people at school and college, teachers and lecturers, and young employees and trainees. It combines STEM subject promotion with early career development, and aims to deliver certified manufacturing training in areas increasingly outsourced from the UK. GE is establishing an in-house enhanced apprenticeship programme, offering additional accreditations and experience for 35 apprentices at advanced and higher levels. The solution also offers a wide range of opportunities for young people in more than 120 Gloucestershire schools to engage with STEM subjects and explore relevant careers. GE Aviation’s outreach work with the schools takes young mentors from the company, close to the pupils’ own ages and to whom they can relate, into a network of schools, helping young people understand the world of work and the skills they will need. The young mentors will also receive training in skills such as organisational ability and communication skills to support their outreach work.

“The programme gives GE Aviation the opportunity to partner with government and education providers, so that we can all be accountable and learning objectives can be tailored to the strategy and the culture of the business.”
Alan Jones, Executive Site Leader Cheltenham, GE Aviation

Impact

The collaboration aims to have a substantial impact on career options for young people in Gloucestershire. GE Aviation sees the programme as an essential driver for its future productivity and growth, and important both to its succession planning and development of a diverse workforce. Young professionals will gain coaching and mentoring skills, whilst pupils will have the opportunity to engage with industry on repeated occasions throughout their schooling, especially for those taking STEM subjects. The pilot will create sustainable career opportunities and the company envisages recruiting an additional 80 – 100 young people as a result of the programme.

Who’s involved?

GE Aviation in Cheltenham and in Gloucester lead the pilot and will involve other local employers in shared skills areas. The University of the West of England, SEMTA and the Institution of Engineering and Technology will collaborate on benchmarking training quality. GE Aviation will contribute over £2m to the project over two years, matched by £2m from the Employer Ownership Pilot.

Investment

Employer investment: £1,103,997
Employer Ownership Pilot Funding: £1,105,998
Total: £2,209,995

• Print this page
•