Cardiff and Vale College students let their ambitions take flight as ICAT hosts special Aero Careers Fair

10 Feb 2023

Cardiff and Vale College learners have explored the giddy heights that can be achieved through a career in the Aerospace industry at a special careers fair.

Held in the main hangar of the College’s renowned International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT), 23 employers from a range of aero employers spoke with around 350 learners from the College’s Engineering, Aerospace and Cabin Crew courses about the opportunities available to them. The employers ranged across the industry and included BA, easyJet, Ryanair, ecube, Caerdav, AerFin, Space Forge, Swissport, Boeing and Belcan.

Caerdav Base Maintenance Manager Paul Nash said: “Just seeing so many keen students with their ambitions has fuelled Caerdav's fire to ensure we get the best ones to join our apprentice programme for 2023.

“ICAT staff have done a great job in educating these youngsters to an exceptional level and we would be happy to take them further on their journey in aviation.”

Boeing Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Manager Lisa Hale said: “Boeing were delighted to be invited to CAVC’s Careers Fair to promote our wonderful training provider’s facility and to encourage those studying aero based subjects to consider an apprenticeship as a viable option. The event was a resounding success, where industry partners got to meet and discuss our industry skills shortage and promote to the CAVC students our wonderful routes into industry.”

AerFin HR Manager Liz Cridland said: “It was an amazing opportunity not only to experience the facilities at ICAT but to speak to a range of students with a passion for Aviation.”

Cardiff and Vale College Principal Sharon James said: “At CAVC we don’t want to be a qualifications factory that churns out people with the right pieces of paper but no idea of the world of work. We prefer to be a skills machine, producing skilled and employable people with the initiative and entrepreneurial talent to add instant value to any employer.

“That is why we work with thousands of employers large and small to ensure what we offer is relevant to the current and future needs of labour markets. Hosting events such as this one offers an opportunity for our students to engage with a range of high-profile employers in their chosen industry and offers them real opportunities to progress in their career paths.”