A NEW training academy will offer apprentices the chance to improve their skill set and gain on-the-job experience.
The Magellan Academy, run by Magellan Aerospace Limited with support from South Eastern Regional College, will offer a bespoke training package suited to the needs of the business and will be delivered at the college’s SPACE building in Bangor.
The four year apprenticeship programme commences September 2016 with the first year spent full time at the Magellan Academy at SERC Bangor where the apprentices will complete a Level 2 NVQ and a Level 3 Technical Certificate. In the second and third year, apprentices complete the Level 3 NVQ through day release to the Magellan Academy and also spend four days a week in the workplace gaining hands on experience. Through a rotation plan, apprentices gain experience on different machines with different size materials / technical data. The fourth year is the improver year where apprentices can perfect their skills and fully integrate into their field of study. This also gives the company an opportunity to evaluate the apprentices in full time employment. Each week the apprentices will spend one day at the Academy and four days in the workplace.
SERC Director of Curriculum and Information Services Dr Michael Malone said: “The Magellan Academy will provide the company with a job ready pool of highly talented employees. The aim of the academy is to help match the skills of the workforce with the bespoke skills Magellan needs. This partnership between Magellan and SERC is a powerful demonstration of how the further education and private sector can work together for the benefit of the local economy. SERC is committed to working with employers to ensure they have the skilled workforce they need, both now and for the future.”
Magellan also offers the Higher Apprenticeship Programme to those who have excelled and completed the Apprenticeship Programme. The Higher Apprenticeship Programme provides the option to take a Foundation Degree (or HNC, HND) that could lead to a full Honours Degree and a professional qualification as a Chartered Engineer.
Team building events will be an extremely important part of the programme and students will be expected to participate in competitions and challenges through colleges, university and sector skills events.
Magellan also plans to train several apprentices as STEM Ambassadors to encourage young people to consider careers and qualifications in the industry to sustain its annual recruitment campaign.