Minister congratulates latest group of Airbus Industrial Cadet Graduates

Sixty-five girls from six schools in North East Wales have been formally recognised by the Welsh Government and Airbus for their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills and abilities during a special assessment and graduation event in Broughton this week.

The students, all aged between 11 and 13 years, have spent the last three months undertaking a variety of extra-curricular STEM skill learning and development opportunities with support from their teachers and Airbus mentors as part of the Welsh Government funded Industrial Cadets programme.

Now in its third year, the programme aims to give young people an insight into industry and manufacturing and raise awareness of local career opportunities.

Under this particular element of the programme, which is specifically aimed at girls, students study an environmental project and learn more about aeronautical engineering and the high-tech global world of aviation with help from Airbus’ female engineers.

This year’s challenge involved students having to identify a building in their school in need of renovation and produce a set of recommendations focussing on design, build and contents of a new and improved facility. Working in teams, the girls were encouraged to focus on the use of sustainable resources in the build, running and maintenance of the building as well as the conservation of energy, water and cost saving.

Before graduating from the course and receiving their Bronze Level Industrial Cadet certificates at today’s celebration and graduation event, the students showcased their work to their parents, teachers and mentors.

Commending the pupils on their outstanding achievements, Economy, Science and Transport Minister, Edwina Hart said:

“We are committed to encouraging more women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles and this programme is another great example of how we are supporting this important agenda.

“Indeed, only this week we published a new report, Talented Women for a Successful Wales, which seeks to find ways to encourage more girls and women in Wales to study STEM subjects and pursue careers in the science sector and our work with Airbus to deliver the Industrial Cadets programme is helping to achieve this.

“Providing young people with an opportunity and platform to identify and develop their skills in this area at an early age is vital if we are to secure Wales’ next generation of engineers and scientists. I would like to congratulate every student who has graduated today for their dedication and commitment to this course and I hope they will use this experience and as a launch pad for a future career within the STEM industries.”

Airbus HR Director and UK General Manager Mark Stewart said:

“We are delighted to continue our support for the Industrial Cadets in Wales and it is fitting that we are hosting this event the same week as International Women’s Day.

“Airbus actively promotes engineering careers to all, regardless of gender, and I hope this will give inspiration to many of those girls who have taken part to give serious consideration to a career in aerospace.”