Students get careers insight at the home of British Helicopters
As Leonardo Helicopters UK gets ready to welcome more students to its site for further work experience sessions, we reflect on the first cohort of attendees to the company’s STEM programme in March of this year.
Teenagers from six schools, located within a 15-mile radius of Leonardo’s Yeovil site, recently spent a week with the company to learn about the excellent career opportunities that could be available to them.
Through a series of engineering-based activities, as well as talks from Leonardo Helicopters UK test pilots and engineers, the 16 students, aged 14-16, gained an understanding of the various critical engineering and business functions that enable our helicopters to operate successfully.
The week also featured tours of the site’s comprehensive range of facilities, including the Training Academy, avionics simulators, and assembly lines where Leonardo’s AW101 and AW159 helicopters are built. Sessions focussed on interview skills and speed networking; learning about the search & rescue programmes that the company is involved in; and how social value plays a central part in the company’s local, national and international activities.
Leonardo graduate, Oran Hosey, who planned and organised the work experience programme at the Home of British Helicopters, said: “All the students were extremely engaged, allowing for a successful and informative week. The team was fortunate to have such excellent volunteers from all areas within the business who provided additional opportunities for the students to learn first-hand about the opportunities that are open to them, should they chose to pursue a career with Leonardo Helicopters UK. We look forward to welcoming another group of work experience students in July.”
Feedback from the teenagers who attended the week, was very positive too, with many stating they were likely to consider a Leonardo Training Scheme or Direct Entry position in the future.
One said: “This week has made me realise what it takes to be an engineer. I wasn’t sure what career path I would want to follow, but seeing the work that goes on here has made me want to pursue a career with Leonardo Helicopters [UK].”
Another described the week as “Very helpful. It helped me learn that there is so much more to Leonardo than I previously thought, along with the support of some really nice people at the event.”
Others added: “I now understand how Leonardo operates and what the company is all about. I learned a lot from the really fun activities. This allowed me to gain experience that not many people will get.”
“The week’s work experience programme really helped me decide what I want to do in the future,” said another student.
