Babcock and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai expand Specialist Training at RAF Valley

A new agreement to increase the provision of aeronautical training at RAF Valley is set to deliver real benefits for Babcock personnel employed at the base.

Building on ten years of partnership working Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that expands the scope of specialist aeronautical training provision at RAF Valley.

Working together with the awarding body the EAL, Babcock and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai have established seven new specialised training programmes called Industrial Vocational Pathways (IVPs) for Babcock personnel employed on the Ministry of Defence Hawk Contract. IVPs include Avionics Maintenance, Aeronautical - Mechanical Maintenance, Survival Equipment Maintenance and Weapons Maintenance. Training and assessment is to be conducted by Babcock and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai personnel.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai already delivers an Aeronautical Engineering Programme Apprenticeship for Babcock. This was established in 2016 to nurture a local pool of aeronautical talent to ensure the maintenance of the Hawk jet at RAF Valley. Since then, over 70 apprentices have taken part in the programme, with the vast majority still working at RAF Valley or within the industry. Around two thirds of those trained have stayed with Babcock with a number progressing to supervisory roles.

The MoU allows Grŵp Llandrillo Menai to offer a wider range of aeronautical training, and that moving forward all Babcock's employees at RAF Valley can access additional specialist engineering and technical training.

Attending the MoU signing Aled Jones-Griffiths Chief Executive Officer and Gwenllian Roberts, Executive Director of Commercial Development from Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, Chloe Barker, Managing Director of Babcock’s UK Aviation business, Gez Currie from the RAF along with industry representatives.

Commenting at the event Gwenllian Roberts said:

We’re very proud of the long relationship with Babcock that has enabled so many young people to develop careers that have started here at RAF Valley. I’m delighted to see our partnership going from strength to strength today. The MoU signals a very important new chapter where we’ll be delivering specialist aeronautical training for the first time. I’d like to sincerely thank all that have been involved in making the MoU today happen, and look forward to the journey ahead. This is a very important day for the economy of Ynys Môn and North Wales.

Chloe Barker added: “Babcock’s long-term partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai demonstrates the importance of collaboration between industry and education. The introduction of Industrial Vocational Pathways is a significant next step in expanding our specialist training offering to our employees at RAF Valley and shows our commitment to invest locally in our workforce."

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