Celebrating at a gathering of over 100 friends, family members and employees from all parts of the business, the graduating apprentices received their certificates and awards from managing director Nick Blakeney and special guest, Lucy Owen from BBC Cymru Wales.

The GE Aviation Wales apprenticeship programme is delivered in partnership with Coleg y Cymoedd. This relationship allows GE to equip apprentices with the academic and technical qualifications they need to thrive as employees. The programme is spread over three years and typically attracts around 450 applications. On average 95% of apprentices who graduate from the programme stay with the business and over one third of the current workforce at the Nantgarw site joined as apprentices. This year 23 of the graduating apprentices will join the business in engineering and business roles.

In addition to combining technical training and classroom teaching, GE Aviation Wales also provides personal and professional development opportunities for all apprentices. By getting the apprentices involved in school partnership projects, careers fairs, volunteering projects and programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, GE helps to develop well-rounded individuals who are better able to integrate with teams across the business.

GE Aviation Wales also recognises two apprentices with special accolades every year. Lloyd Cole was named as the Apprentice’s Apprentice; for his contribution to supporting his peers and his commitment to working as a team. The GE Aviation Wales Apprentice of the Year was named as Nathan Cousins for the long-lasting and positive impression that he made on senior colleagues from across the site and his passion for taking on new challenges.

Speaking shortly after the event, Blakeney said: “Our apprentice graduation is one of the highlights of the business year for everyone at GE. I was proud and honoured to mark the end of a long three-year journey and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in the careers of our new colleagues.

“Without the support of Judith, Karen and the team from Coleg y Cymoedd and the friends and families who all took time to join us on the day, we would not be in a position to develop the next generation of talent and experience that our business needs.

“Congratulations to all our graduating apprentices and to Lloyd Cole and Nathan Cousins for going the extra mile and being named as the Apprentice’s Apprentice and GE Aviation Wales Apprentice of the Year. The hard work begins now and I’m looking forward to working with you and watching you all grow in your careers.”

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