Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Heathrow UTC Students celebrate gaining top engineering apprenticeships

Aerospace

Heathrow UTC Students celebrate gaining top engineering apprenticeships

Students at Heathrow UTC are looking forward to September when they will commence their apprenticeships with prestigious companies such as Airbus and the world’s leading manufacturer of ejection seats, Martin Baker.


Courtesy Heathrow Aviation Engineering UTC

After studying engineering and technical disciplines at Heathrow UTC, students were in a strong position to apply for apprenticeships and this has been reflected in the excellent opportunities that they have secured.

Apprenticeships are growing in popularity thanks to the clear benefits they offer both businesses and young people. The latest employers survey run by the Department for Education shows a large majority (84%) of employers reported that offering an apprenticeship programme had helped them to “develop skills that are relevant to the needs of their organisation”. This type of training is also very popular with young students: combining learning and working allows them to gain industry experience and once the apprenticeship finished they have a world of options open to them.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Two of the successful Heathrow UTC students are Sanjay Hirani and James Hamilton (both Year 13). They will complete their studies this summer and start apprenticeships in September after receiving unconditional offers from their future employers.

Sanjay will use the skills he learned studying for a BTEC in Engineering as he undertakes a sponsored degree apprenticeship with aviation industry giant Airbus at Swansea University. Sanjay will complete a three-year degree in aeronautical engineering, spending four days per week at Airbus and one day a week at university. Sanjay will discover Airbus from different perspectives as he will rotate around all departments and he says that this is a dream come true:

“I applied for Airbus because Aeronautical Engineering is my passion. It was the first place I applied to so I’m delighted to have been successful.”

James Hamilton, who has studied for a Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, secured a place on the sought-after Martin Baker apprenticeship programme where he will work at the company’s Denham headquarters. James decided to apply after representatives from the company did an assembly at the college and impressed him with the care that it had for its apprentices and employees. The competition for places was tough, with a rigorous online test followed by a challenging two-day assessment centre that tested James’ engineering and teamworking skills. He was delighted to be successful and is looking forward to starting his job in September.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

Principal of Heathrow UTC, Wayne Edwards, explains how the college helps students prepare to apply for apprenticeships: “We work closely with our partners in industry who give students support in everything from CV writing to mock interviews and in-depth information about working in the engineering sector. This means that students have an immediate advantage when they start the application process. We make sure that students are kept up to date with all the apprenticeship opportunities so that they have the widest choice of routes to follow.

“I’d like to offer our congratulations to all our students who have secured apprenticeships this year and wish them every success in their future careers.”

Over the last three years, a quarter of Year 13 UTC leavers went on to start apprenticeships and last year 37% of those apprenticeships were at a higher or degree level. This is more than six times the national average.

Advertisement
PTC PTC
Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

Aerospace

Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

15 July 2025

Doncasters today announced the successful commissioning of a brand-new, fully automated shell line, at its Groton facility in the US - a major milestone within its 2025 Performance Improvement Plan and a key advancement in the company’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

Aerospace

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

15 July 2025

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft today announced plans to work together on developing regional hydrogen-electric VTOL air travel.

Bombardier’s paint facility at Biggin Hill set for 2026 opening

Aerospace

Bombardier’s paint facility at Biggin Hill set for 2026 opening

14 July 2025

Bombardier's development of a new 51,000 sq. ft. paint facility at the London Biggin Hill Service Centre is progressing with several key processes completed, including ground stabilisation and foundation work on the hangar.

AAIB launches investigation into incident at Southend Airport

Aerospace

AAIB launches investigation into incident at Southend Airport

14 July 2025

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has started an investigation into an incident near Southend Airport on Sunday 13th July, involving a 12-metre plane that crashed shortly after take-off.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
First electric flight lands at Gatwick

Aerospace

First electric flight lands at Gatwick

14 July 2025

The first ever electric flight to land at London Gatwick took place last Thursday as part of the VINCI Airports Network Elektro Tour.

Airframe Designs appoints new Advisory Board chairman

Aerospace

Airframe Designs appoints new Advisory Board chairman

14 July 2025

Aerospace specialist Airframe Designs has appointed David Roberts as the new chairman of its Advisory Board, as it continues to expand its services in engineering and additive manufacturing to the aviation and related sectors worldwide.

Advertisement
ODU RT