Royal Air Force Flies High in National Apprenticeship Awards

The Royal Air Force celebrate at the National Apprenticeship Awards, as they were presented with an award and included in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers List.

Air Vice Marshal Warren James attended with two recently qualified apprentices, Senior Aircraftwoman Lauren and Leading Aircraftman Andrew, to collect the award in the Macro Employer category (for employers with 5000 + personnel).

On collecting the award, Air Vice Marshal James said: “National recognition for excellence in training and developing our people, alongside an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ for our apprenticeship programme, is a humbling accolade. In our centenary year, the world’s oldest independent Air Force is proud to be providing the next generation of trainees with world class skills opportunities.”

The awards, now in their 14^th year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise employers who grow their own talent through apprenticeships and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “This year’s winners are all shining examples of how apprenticeships develop outstanding talent whilst enhancing the incredible work of employers.”

Speaking on the opportunities offered by the RAF, Air Vice Marshal James said: “What we offer spans a wide variety of trades, for normal people from a multitude of diverse backgrounds. We upskill, re-skill, accredit, reward and value our people. Improving social mobility and contributing, internationally to the UK’s reputation and prosperity.”

The RAF offers apprenticeships to the vast majority of its airmen recruits; 21 programmes are delivered across 14 Ground Training Schools. With over 2850 apprentices on programme at any one time, it is one of the largest providers in the country.

Further information about the Royal Air Force Engineering Apprenticeships can be found here.