Britten-Norman Partners With Isle Of Wight College To Welcome New Engineering Apprentices

Sub-regional aircraft manufacturer, Britten-Norman has introduced a new apprenticeship scheme in partnership with the Isle of Wight College.

The new apprentices are benefiting from a unique collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine (CECAMM) on the Isle of Wight.

The arrival of the new apprentices coincides with Britten-Norman opening its new production line at its Bembridge site last month.

This exciting news means that the apprentices will be directly involved in the manufacture of new aircraft, the production of which has now returned to the UK for the first time since 1968.

The programme will see a cohort of Engineering Fitter Level 3 Apprentices embarking on a three-year apprenticeship program.

In addition to their time at Britten-Norman, weekly sessions at CECAMM are undertaken to enhance their practical abilities and immerse them in real-world aerospace engineering challenges.

Britten-Norman, known for its iconic Islander aircraft, has long offered apprenticeship schemes and this collaboration with CECAMM is the most recent example of engineering training offered to young people from the area.

Pete Dowers, New Build Manager at Britten-Norman said:

“Having served 45 years with Britten-Norman and currently working on my 500 th aircraft, I believe it’s important to pass my knowledge to the next generation and help them develop their own skills.

"The newest group of apprentices joined us in September and will now start their journey towards acquiring technical knowledge, skills, and behaviours.
"We are excited to collaborate with Britten Norman to fulfil the needs of their current and future apprentices.”

Plans are already underway to expand the apprenticeship programme, with aspirations for a larger cohort of engineering apprentices next year as the company continues to nurture talent and promote education in the aerospace sector.

In line with this commitment, Britten-Norman encourages more talented people to consider a career in aerospace engineering.