GE Aerospace has helped careers take flight with apprenticeships since 1980 and now the firm’s investment in such schemes is being recognised by the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
The company is a finalist in the Large Employer of the Year category, sponsored by the SQA, with apprentice overhaul engineer, Louise Collins, named as a finalist in the Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 6+ category.
The winners will be revealed at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which take place on Thursday, February 27 in the run-up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Apprentice Coordinator at Prestwick-based GE Aerospace, Aidan McIntyre, said: “We have a long history of cultivating our talent and it’s vital to ensure that pipeline continues.
“Apprenticeships create the engineers and leaders of the future to meet the demands of a growing and dynamic industry.
“Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that help retain a competitive edge. When you combine that energy with the experience you already have, it’s a cocktail for success.”
GE has 820 employees including ten Foundation Apprentices, 40 Modern Apprentices and seven Graduate Apprentices.
With a 98 per cent completion rate, many apprentices progress to senior technical roles and managerial positions.
Louise is an integral part of GE Aerospace, where she was named its 2023 Apprentice of the Year for her cohort.
The 22-year-old from Kilmarnock impressed executives at a global level, when her process improvement Kaizen team initiated over $1 million in annual savings by streamlining waste management processes and reduced delivery turnaround from 60 days to 48.
Louise joined GE in 2022 and has completed her final year of her Aircraft Engine Overhaul Modern Apprenticeship at the Prestwick firm, where she overhauls GE’s GEnx engines.
She said: “My confidence has skyrocketed through my Modern Apprenticeship – it has given me so much.”
As a STEM ambassador, Louise has devoted over 80 hours to volunteering in schools and helps drive GE’s women’s network.
Described as a strong female role model, Louise is passionate about encouraging young people to enter aerospace, especially women.
She said: “It’s important to me to help inspire the younger generation and spark interest in the industry. I didn’t have access to opportunities which assist in the process of reaching a positive destination after school finished.
“We didn’t have many career events at school where businesses would come in and talk to us and do things like mock interviews. It shows pupils the pathways into jobs and to meet the people doing them. You never know where it could lead you.”
Equality and inclusion are key drivers for GE, which actively tackles gender stereotyping by promoting STEM careers to young women and providing mentorship opportunities with female leaders in the industry.
Community outreach initiatives include engaging with under-represented groups to ensure people from all walks of life can access apprenticeships.
To be a finalist in the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in the Large Employer of the Year category sponsored by SQA is a ‘great honour’ for GE Aerospace.
Aidan added: “As a large company, we have a responsibility to our local community and believe in empowering and bringing others up alongside us. To be a finalist in the awards is a testament to our team, who are always striving for excellence.
“To see so many organisations across Scotland investing in apprenticeships shows how valuable they are to business.”
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