<p>While much has been discussed and written about there currently being a global pilot shortage, fewer words and column inches have been devoted to a similar shortage among trained maintenance personnel.</p>
<p><img alt="Resource Group" src="/getasset/49cf42bf-43f2-4509-92f5-5c8a240c0314/" /></p>
<p>With OEMs having such large orderbooks, keeping them airworthy will be equally important as having enough pilots to fly them. UK-based Resource Group is aiming to help in rectifying the imbalance by providing class-leading aviation technical training to those aiming to take up careers in this field.</p>
<p>By December 2019, says Resource Group, it will have trained more than 700 aviation maintenance apprentices – significantly contributing to UK government targets of achieving 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and addressing the aforementioned critical skills shortage in the aviation sector.</p>
<p>Resource Group claims the position of being the UK’s number one aviation apprenticeship provider for UK-based airlines and maintenance organisations, regardless of size or focus. Its vision is “to consolidate” this position.</p>
<p>To illustrate the variety in size of operations at which candidates may develop their careers, Resource Group includes among its partners, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, easyJet, DHL Air, Thomas Cook, Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace, Babcock Aerospace, CHC Helicopters, Textron Aviation, AirTanker Services, Cobham Aviation Services, Airbus Helicopters UK, Babcock Helicopters and Signature Flight Support.</p>
<p>To highlight underline its plans in this sector, Resource Group has now announced that is offering a Level 4 Apprenticeship Programme (EASA CAT A-CAT B Licence), beginning in November 2019.</p>
<p>This apprenticeship programme comprises training and practical on-the-job experience. Each apprentice will spend a period of time working within the employer’s maintenance environment in order to gain experience to be included in their CAP 741, with theoretical and practical off-the-job training at Resource Group facilities.</p>
<p>The programme is a CAA/EASA B1.1/B2 pathway which can be fully funded by the UK Government Apprenticeship levy fund. It builds upon the learner’s existing Category A experience and acquired licence. This is supported by a foundation phase qualification, followed by a development phase, which is selected by the employer via their choice of competence units.</p>
<p>Resource Group says it offers “a cradle to grave service giving clients a solution that they can rely on from day one. Recruitment, selection, induction and learner development are all provided for, in-house by Resource Group’s experts, to exacting standards”.</p>
<p>Although it is the vehicle to deliver these apprenticeships, the company says it also feels “a duty to promote and raise the visibility of apprenticeship programmes”. The company adds that it looks forward to continuing to serve the sector “by training 1,000s more of the UK’s future engineers and raising the awareness of the fantastic and fulfilling opportunities on offer for young people in the aviation industry”.</p>
<p>Resource Group’s CEO, Stephan Hickman, explains further. “As part of our group strategy we will continue to invest in and grow our training businesses. The industry we serve demands high standards, not minimum standards,” he notes. “The training philosophy that the Resource Group has built, which places significant emphasis on practical training in an appropriate environment, will remain a cornerstone of our group’s expansion plans both in the UK and beyond.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile on Tuesday 17 September, Resource Group will host its annual Apprentice Awards Ceremony at Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire. This celebrates the hard work and dedication of all students who have completed the eight-month theoretical and practical element of the EASA Part-66 Category A programme.</p>
<p>All 77 successful apprentices will receive their graduation certificates and four special awards will be presented on the day. “This is without doubt my favourite working day of the year,” declares Ian Fitzpatrick, Resource Group’s managing director. “I always feel privileged to be involved as these outstanding young people take their first steps into the workplace. The ceremony is a great opportunity to celebrate the tenacity of the individual apprentices to succeed, but also to appreciate the invaluable support of our clients and the tremendous efforts of my own staff in the delivery of this industry leading programme.”</p>
<p>Although top quality courses like this are available, the problem remains of how to attract sufficient young people to take up aviation maintenance as a career.</p>
<p><img alt="Resource Group" src="/getasset/49cf42bf-43f2-4509-92f5-5c8a240c0314/" /></p>
<p>With OEMs having such large orderbooks, keeping them airworthy will be equally important as having enough pilots to fly them. UK-based Resource Group is aiming to help in rectifying the imbalance by providing class-leading aviation technical training to those aiming to take up careers in this field.</p>
<p>By December 2019, says Resource Group, it will have trained more than 700 aviation maintenance apprentices – significantly contributing to UK government targets of achieving 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and addressing the aforementioned critical skills shortage in the aviation sector.</p>
<p>Resource Group claims the position of being the UK’s number one aviation apprenticeship provider for UK-based airlines and maintenance organisations, regardless of size or focus. Its vision is “to consolidate” this position.</p>
<p>To illustrate the variety in size of operations at which candidates may develop their careers, Resource Group includes among its partners, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, easyJet, DHL Air, Thomas Cook, Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace, Babcock Aerospace, CHC Helicopters, Textron Aviation, AirTanker Services, Cobham Aviation Services, Airbus Helicopters UK, Babcock Helicopters and Signature Flight Support.</p>
<p>To highlight underline its plans in this sector, Resource Group has now announced that is offering a Level 4 Apprenticeship Programme (EASA CAT A-CAT B Licence), beginning in November 2019.</p>
<p>This apprenticeship programme comprises training and practical on-the-job experience. Each apprentice will spend a period of time working within the employer’s maintenance environment in order to gain experience to be included in their CAP 741, with theoretical and practical off-the-job training at Resource Group facilities.</p>
<p>The programme is a CAA/EASA B1.1/B2 pathway which can be fully funded by the UK Government Apprenticeship levy fund. It builds upon the learner’s existing Category A experience and acquired licence. This is supported by a foundation phase qualification, followed by a development phase, which is selected by the employer via their choice of competence units.</p>
<p>Resource Group says it offers “a cradle to grave service giving clients a solution that they can rely on from day one. Recruitment, selection, induction and learner development are all provided for, in-house by Resource Group’s experts, to exacting standards”.</p>
<p>Although it is the vehicle to deliver these apprenticeships, the company says it also feels “a duty to promote and raise the visibility of apprenticeship programmes”. The company adds that it looks forward to continuing to serve the sector “by training 1,000s more of the UK’s future engineers and raising the awareness of the fantastic and fulfilling opportunities on offer for young people in the aviation industry”.</p>
<p>Resource Group’s CEO, Stephan Hickman, explains further. “As part of our group strategy we will continue to invest in and grow our training businesses. The industry we serve demands high standards, not minimum standards,” he notes. “The training philosophy that the Resource Group has built, which places significant emphasis on practical training in an appropriate environment, will remain a cornerstone of our group’s expansion plans both in the UK and beyond.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile on Tuesday 17 September, Resource Group will host its annual Apprentice Awards Ceremony at Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire. This celebrates the hard work and dedication of all students who have completed the eight-month theoretical and practical element of the EASA Part-66 Category A programme.</p>
<p>All 77 successful apprentices will receive their graduation certificates and four special awards will be presented on the day. “This is without doubt my favourite working day of the year,” declares Ian Fitzpatrick, Resource Group’s managing director. “I always feel privileged to be involved as these outstanding young people take their first steps into the workplace. The ceremony is a great opportunity to celebrate the tenacity of the individual apprentices to succeed, but also to appreciate the invaluable support of our clients and the tremendous efforts of my own staff in the delivery of this industry leading programme.”</p>
<p>Although top quality courses like this are available, the problem remains of how to attract sufficient young people to take up aviation maintenance as a career.</p>