So you wanna work in aeronautics?
If you’ve always fancied tinkering with planes for a living, you’re certainly living in the right part of the world. The Welsh aerospace industry is currently the focus of a multi-million pound investment. In terms of job prospects, we’ve never had it so good…

Ground control to major job
So keen are British airways Maintenance Cardiff (BaMC) to expand the available local skill base, that they are tempting would-be aeronautics engineers at the tender age of 15. The BaMC Saturday Club – a twelve week introductory course to the wonderful world of wings – has been so successful that local rivals, the Defence aviation Repair agency (DaRa) have just set up a similar programme. (For more details on the Saturday Club call 0930-1230).

SWaG-bagged
Those nice major aerospace companies in Wales have also clubbed together to launch the South Wales aerospace Group. SWaG’s ten-year mission is to seek out new talent. SWaG chairman Russ Jones says: "We are looking for bright, capable and enthusiastic youngsters with a mechanical aptitude to train through our schemes."

Air-fixed
Of course, becoming an aerospace engineer is a bit more involved than just being handy with a screwdriver. We’re talking cutting-edge technology, and a responsibility for other peoples’ safety. An aerospace engineer might find themselves responsible for major structural or technological changes such as installing flight control systems or aircraft instrumentation. It sure ain’t model-making.

Your career choice is now departing
There are various stages at which you can embark. A popular entry level is a Modern apprenticeship or National Traineeship course. Necessary qualifications vary, but as a ground rule four G.C.S.E.’s – including Maths, English, and a science – are required. Complementary subjects include physics, electronics, design and technology and IT.

Taking it one degree higher
Both Barry College in South Wales, and the North East Wales Institute in Wrexham run aerospace engineering HNC/ HND courses. Barry College also offers a BEng in aerospace Engineering. Whilst Salford University offer a BEng (Hons) in aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering.

Will you sponsor me for £70,000?
British Airways' Professional Engineer Programme offers sponsorship for successful applicants to study for a BEng (Hons) in air Transport Engineering at City University, London (see
Links).

Prepare for take-off
A career in the aerospace industry in Wales does appear to be one of the few good bets for long-term job security. It is one of the few areas where Wales can truly claim to be leading the world, and as global air travel increases, so should the industry.

Those top six players in full

British airways Maintenance Cardiff (BaMC)
Behind that giant hanger just off the runway at Cardiff Wales International airport lies a £70million, state-of-the-art jet maintenance facility, dedicated to servicing Ba’s fleet of 747s and 777s.

Defence aviation Repair agency (DaRa)
St Athan’s based. a new, joint partnership between the RaF and the Royal Navy which provides a ‘one stop shop’ in maintenance, repairs and overhaul for the world's biggest and baddest fighter jets, including Tornados, Harriers and Jaguars. DaRa employ in excess of 7,000 civilian and military staff.

British airways Interior Engineering (BaIE) Blackwood based. Another ‘one stop shop’, responsible for the repair and refurbishment of aircraft interiors (not including those packets of pretzels you get before take-off ). BaIE employ over 150 people.

Nordam Europe Ltd
Again, Blackwood based. Nordam specialise in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of fan reversers, thrust reversers, exhaust components, nose cowls, fan cowls and flight controls.

GE aircraft Engine Services Ltd (GEaES)
Nantgarw based. The world’s largest engine maintenance centre, servicing over 80 of the world’s leading airline companies. Engines given the old spit and polish include the Concorde Olympus, Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and GE.

British airways avionic Engineering (BaaE) Llantrisant based. World leaders in avionic maintenance, overhauling and repairing over 12,000 different types of electrical, electronic, and electro-mechanical components, including the infamous ‘black box’ flight recorders.