After two years away, ADS once again hosted its annual Apprentice Reception in the House of Commons this week. Parliamentarians, apprentices, and industry representatives from the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors came together to celebrate the work of more than  19,000 high-value apprentices in the sector.

Sponsored by Raytheon Technologies, Raytheon UK and Collins Aerospace, more than  100 apprentices met with around 50 Parliamentarians to discuss the work of the world leading companies that they represent.

ADS Apprentices

Jane Stevenson MP hosted the reception, which involved 22 companies across more than 50 UK sites. Many MPs had a chance to meet apprentices from their constituencies, and talk about the importance of apprenticeships for the UK aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.

Apprentices Tianna Smalling (pictured) from Collins Aerospace and Adele Hughes from Raytheon UK each gave speeches outlining the value of apprenticeships in the ADS sectors. Their inspiring speeches are testament to the fact that ADS member companies are providing high-value, high-wage  development, training and skills to the next generation of workers.

Key Themes

Accompanying the speeches from the Apprentices, Kevin Craven, Chief Executive of ADS, praised the ‘world leading companies’ that ADS represents.

He went on to say that all of the ADS sectors:

‘are playing a key role in the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, through apprenticeship schemes, creating high-skilled, high-tech and high-wage jobs both for now and for the future.’

Apprentices in the aerospace, defence, security and space  sectors are leading the way in the future of Net Zero technology, and the growth of these sectors. Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, the number of apprentices in ADS member companies has grown by more than a third since 2020.

Kevin Craven remarked that the apprentices present at the reception are:

‘part of a new generation that will help deliver our goal of net zero which the industry is ambitious to deliver on.’

The themes of sustainability, future flight, and engaging the next generation of future leaders are themes that will be carried on in the Farnborough Airshow this summer, particularly during Pioneers of Tomorrow which showcases the sectors to future talent and is free for anyone up to the age of 21 to attend.