From left, Rosie Clarkson, Mark Abbey and Ben Harper (photo: CHC Helicopter)

CHC Helicopter is celebrating the first graduation from its advanced engineering apprenticeship programme in the UK.

Four apprentices will qualify from CHC’s Aberdeen base, having completed an extensive course of training which began in 2013.

Three graduates have been offered full time positions with CHC while another apprentice has taken a role with maintenance and repairs specialists, Vector Aerospace.

Mark Abbey, CHC regional director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, says the scheme is a crucial part of the company’s investment in the future. “The programme has allowed us to identify some exceptional talent over the last three years. We remain fully committed to the development of young people in engineering. This scheme is equipping CHC for the future by selecting and developing the next generation of engineers, training them to the highest standards and giving them the opportunity to work with some of the most technically advanced machines in the world.”

The apprentices are taught on the job by the experienced CHC team and have the chance to contribute to the work of the company’s award winning engineering department.

CHC offers a three year apprenticeship programme giving the students an additional year, compared to the standard aviation apprenticeship programme. This gives trainees the opportunity to consolidate learning and development from the previous two years, as well as gaining exposure to other functions within the business.

Apprentices were chosen for the scheme following a rigorous selection process where candidates were expected to demonstrate their keen interest in aviation and the helicopter industry.

The training scheme has been delivered in partnership with Resource Group, with classroom learning at the Aviation Technical Training division in Cirencester, England, in addition to on the job training at one of CHC’s bases in the UK.

Graduate Rosie Clarkson says the course has been tough but the apprentices were offered a great deal of support from lecturers and CHC colleagues. “I’ve wanted to work with helicopters for as long as I can remember, so I’m delighted to have completed the apprenticeship and secured a full time role with such a prestigious operator. The training programme was a fantastic opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge about helicopter engineering with practical on the job training at the CHC base. I’m looking forward to the next stage of my career, contributing to serving the North Sea oil and gas industry.”

CHC’s East Hangar team was recently been presented with the Sikorsky Superior Maintenance award. They are the first ever team to be given this award by Sikorsky for the S92 fleet, which acknowledges outstanding performance in maintaining and supporting aircraft operations.

Tags: CHC Helicopter