Skypath Magazine – Council and companies collaborate to encourage careers in aerospace
South Ayrshire Council and local industry have joined forces to produce a new magazine aimed at inspiring young people to pursue future careers in the aerospace and space sectors. ‘Skypath’ is being distributed to all S2, S3 and S4 pupils across South Ayrshire, showcasing the opportunities, employers and apprenticeships available to them at Prestwick Aerospace Campus.
Funded by local aerospace companies, Skypath has been created to help secure the future skills and workforce at Prestwick Aerospace, following the £80million investment through the Ayrshire Growth Deal. The types of jobs available, salaries, tips for climbing the career ladder and advice on choosing relevant subjects at school, are all covered in the magazine, as well as routes into the industry at differing levels, including apprenticeships, college courses and university degrees.
The sponsor companies who funded the publication – SpiritAerosystems, GE Caledonian, BAE Systems, Collins Aerospace, Woodward, Chevron, NATS and Etek – have also contributed articles offering information and advice, and featuring real life employee success stories, from award winning apprentices and technicians travelling the world, to home grown aeronautical engineers and senior managers, to air traffic controllers.
Councillor Brian McGinley, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure said: “Prestwick Aerospace Campus is Scotland’s largest aerospace hub and home to some of the world’s biggest aerospace companies. The Ayrshire Growth Deal investment will secure Prestwick’s status as a global aerospace centre for decades to come, bringing with it thousands more jobs – just in time for many of our young people leaving school. The new Skypath magazine highlights the huge variety of exciting career paths which will be available to them in the aerospace and space sectors, right here in Ayrshire.”
South Ayrshire Council Economic Development Service Lead Theo Leijser, whose team produced Skypath, said: “Many young people are perhaps unaware of the thriving aerospace industry we have here in Ayrshire and the future opportunities it can offer them. Skypath is full of inspirational case studies about real people’s careers, often involving travel or working abroad and enjoying great lifestyles. By showing them what’s on offer and giving advice on key subject areas, Skypath will help young people to start planning now for a very rewarding future.
“We anticipate ‘Skypath’ will be a long-term project, offering advice and information to our young people for years to come. In addition to the annual printed magazine, there are plans to develop a Skypath careers website, which would feature aerospace-related job and apprenticeship opportunities. Our team will also be working closely with colleagues in Education to develop engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) resources for schools.”
Read Skypath here: Skypath Magazine – Issue 1