FOUNDATION
APPRENTICES
GO ON SITE
The first group of Foundation Apprentices
at Ayrshire College were given a
tremendous insight into working as an
engineer in Ayrshire, as Prestwick’s Spirit
AeroSystems and Kilmarnock’s MAHLE
group welcomed the engineering students
for a full tour of their facilities.
A Foundation Apprenticeship is an exciting
opportunity to give school pupils a kick-start to
their career. It’s a new programme introduced by
the Scottish Government and Skills Development
Scotland to help tackle youth unemployment.
Pupils complete a Foundation Apprenticeship
as part of their timetable alongside their
school subjects. They also gain valuable work
experience whilst completing industry recognised
qualifications.
Ayrshire College’s Foundation Apprenticeship
course in Engineering runs for two years starting in
S5 and continuing into S6.
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The class – made up of pupils from Greenwood
Academy, Prestwick Academy and St. Matthew’s
Academy - has only just started at the Skills Centre
of Excellence in Irvine, but they have already
learned a huge amount about the industry as a
result of these visits.
Spirit AeroSystems allowed the group to see inside
the world of aeronautical engineering, showing the
students how they produce wing components for
Airbus’ A350.
MAHLE provided an insight into the automotive
sector. The group was particularly impressed to
learn how MAHLE supplies engine parts to Formula
1 racing teams.
Stephen Lawrence of Prestwick Academy said “I like
making things and I see myself as a creative person,
so it was very interesting to get a glimpse into life
as an engineer.”
Classmate Alex McLauchlan said “It’s been great to
find out exactly how things are made. I’m looking to
get into aeronautical engineering so this has been a
big help.”
THE STUDENT VOICE EDITION 7