QinetiQ apprentices celebrate
Above: Apprentices who attended their graduation ceremony.
The apprentices, based at a range of QinetiQ sites around the UK, have completed their four year training across a wide range of disciplines, including Information Systems, Aeronautical Engineering and Engineering Manufacture.
This year there were 17 graduating apprentices, who all attended the award winning QinetiQ Apprentice Training School at MOD Boscombe Down, with 14 attending the ceremony at Alexandra House, Swindon. The graduation certificates were presented by guest of honour, Fiona Willmot from the Skills Funding Agency & National Apprenticeship Service. In addition, the annual CEO Gold Award, which is awarded to the highest achieving apprentice, was presented by Fiona to Joe Hedley, Aeronautical Mechanic and member of the squad to represent the UK at the World Skills competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2015.
All the graduates have been offered full-time positions within QinetiQ, with nine of the Aeronautical Engineering graduates looking forward to roles at MOD Boscombe Down. As recognition of their hard work, each apprentice has also been given shares in QinetiQ as they embark on their careers.
Prior to the main graduation ceremony the final year apprentices, along with nearly 100 friends, family and tutors, celebrated with an end of year BBQ, where awards were presented for Best Aeronautical Avionic Apprentice, Best Aeronautical Mechanical Apprentice, Best Engineering Maintenance Apprentice and Best Mechanical Manufacturing Apprentice.
Ian Beresford, QinetiQ Director of Capability said; “I am delighted that we are able to recognise the achievements of all of our apprentices who have worked extremely hard over the last four years. As a company we recognise the importance of ensuring that the next generation is provided with the right skills to succeed. The expertise of our employees are the basis of what makes QinetiQ a trusted partner to our customers, and ensuring we are sustaining those future skills is not only a business need, it is also a national imperative. Initiatives such as The 5% Club illustrate that industry needs to start to take a lead in ensuring we have these skills in the UK.”
The award winning QinetiQ Apprentice Training School, with a completion rate near 95%, against the national average of 75%, was established over 40 years ago and trains students to achieve an Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Engineering. It forms part of QinetiQ’s commitment to increasing apprentice and graduate recruitment, as illustrated by the foundation of The 5% Club , a nationwide campaign urging companies across the UK to commit to 5% of their workforce being apprentices, graduates or sponsored students on a formalised training programme within five years.
