GKN Aerospace, the largest private employer on the Isle of Wight, has a long-standing commitment to nurturing talent through apprenticeships. With 83 apprentices currently on programme, the company offers a range of opportunities from level 3 to level 7, in areas such as engineering, manufacturing, and business support. These apprenticeships not only provide young professionals with the skills needed for their careers but also play a key role in GKN’s succession planning by ensuring that decades of industry knowledge are passed on to the next generation. We spoke with Arielle Elton-Walters and Kevin Downer to learn more about the successes and benefits of their apprenticeship programme.
Q&A with Arielle Elton-Walters and Kevin Downer on Apprenticeships at GKN Aerospace
Q: How many apprentices does GKN Aerospace currently have on programme, and what types of apprenticeships are offered?
A: We currently have 83 apprentices in total—75 at entry level and an additional 8 undertaking higher-level apprenticeships for continuous development. These apprenticeships span from level 3 to level 7, with the Isle of Wight College as our primary training provider.
Q: What successes have your apprentices achieved recently?
A: This past year, 100% of our apprentices who undertook End Point Assessments successfully passed. They achieved this across various apprenticeship standards, reflecting both their hard work and the quality of training they receive.
Q: What types of skills do GKN Aerospace apprentices develop?
A: Our apprentices acquire both technical and transferable skills. Depending on their apprenticeship pathway, they gain expertise in areas such as:
- Aircraft fitting
- Engineering disciplines (design, stress analysis, manufacturing, materials lab work, and quality assurance)
- Business support functions (procurement, supply chain, programme management, and lean operations)
Additionally, they develop wider skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are crucial for their professional development.
Q: What additional learning opportunities do apprentices have access to?
A: All apprentices receive training through GKN’s Learning Management System, Wilbur. The Isle of Wight College also provides training to enhance their skills with Microsoft applications.
Our first-year apprentices participate in a residential week in Devon, where they focus on building softer skills like teamwork, communication, resilience, and networking, alongside apprentices from other GKN sites.
Q: How does having apprentices support GKN Aerospace’s succession planning?
A: Apprenticeships allow experienced staff members to pass down their expertise to the next generation. This is essential for maintaining GKN Aerospace Cowes as a major site in our global portfolio and the largest private employer on the Isle of Wight. Apprenticeships ensure we continue to provide highly skilled jobs that drive our success.
Q: Would you recommend apprenticeships to other businesses?
A: Absolutely. Both our Site Director, Garry Hernes, and Apprenticeships and NVQ Programmes Manager, Kevin Downer, are strong advocates for apprenticeships. They both began their careers as apprentices over 30 years ago, gaining opportunities to develop knowledge, travel globally, and advance their careers. We highly recommend other companies invest in apprenticeships as a vital part of their growth and succession planning.