With the new academic year starting, Solihull College is encouraged to see that an increasing number of school leavers across Solihull and Birmingham are choosing Solihull College to study engineering and aeronautical studies. In some subject areas, the College has seen a 20pc rise in applications as more young people choose vocational education over A-levels.
Due to the proximity of both of the College’s campuses to the industry-rich West Midlands, and strong relationships with companies including Birmingham Airport, Atkins Global and UTC Aerospace Systems, now has never been a more crucial time to study in the aeronautical field
Harkesh Ram, Senior Director at the College’s Woodlands Campus comments: “Aerospace and aviation are very exciting industries to be working in, especially here in the Midlands; they are progressive and dynamic and at the moment require skilled young people. Solihull College is proud to be able to teach students the practical and work-based skills needed so the teaching can be fed quicker back into the local economy”.
Aerospace and aviation are highly paid industries here in the Midlands and there are currently over six hundred jobs within aerospace to be filled in the West Midlands. It is estimated that the average salary of an Aerospace Engineer in the UK is £30,458 a year, with starting salaries ranging from between £20-25,000. There is potential for senior engineers to earn in the region of £60,000 a year.
Over the next year, the government has announced a further £2 million for a new Aerospace Centre at the College’s Woodlands Campus in Smith’s Wood to cope with the demand for workers needed within an industry which is reliant upon skilled and work-ready young people.
Richard Heaton, Lead Consultant at Jonathan Lee Recruitment in Stourbridge, who specialise in recruitment for engineering and aerospace firms in the Midlands comments: “The Midlands, which has traditionally been a central hub for engineering excellence and expertise, is currently unable to meet the aerospace sector’s demand for skilled workers.
To embark on a career within engineering or aerospace, our clients are looking for people with vision, enthusiasm and a natural flare for creativity, along with the right skills and qualifications to support career aspirations”.
For learners interested in finding out more about studying Aeronautical at both further and higher education level at Solihull College from September 2014, please visit www.solihull.ac.uk/aeronautical engineering or call 0121 678 7000.
