British leisure airline Jet2 has called on the government to increase funding for aeronautical engineering apprenticeships, warning that the current funding cap falls far short of actual training costs.
To mark National Engineering Day (November 5), the airline, which employs more than 1,000 engineers across the UK and is currently training more than 30 apprentices through its four-year Level 3 engineering apprenticeship programme, said the cost of training each engineer is around three times the current funding cap of £27,000.
With more than a quarter of the UK’s aeronautical engineering workforce expected to retire in the next decade, Jet2 is urging the government to use the next budget to reform the skills tax and address the growing shortage of qualified engineers.
The airline has also urged ministers to reverse its decision to lower the age limit for level 7 apprenticeships to 21, a move it says is preventing many potential candidates from gaining advanced technical qualifications.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.comsaid: “With over 1,000 engineers across the UK, including our new hangar at Manchester Airport, Jet2 offers huge opportunities for trainee engineers, providing well-paid jobs with great career opportunities.
“Aviation is at a standstill without these skilled engineers, so it is vital that the government addresses the skills shortage the industry now faces.
“These simple reforms not only address this shortfall, but give people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to train for vital, high-skilled jobs.”
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