Derby College Group Level 2 Business students at the University of Derby’s Cavendish Building, taking on real workplace challenges set by Rolls-Royce as part of the “Let’s Get Down to Business” programme.
Derby College Group (DCG) has welcomed the Government’s £2.5 billion agreement with Rolls-Royce to develop a new generation of gas turbine engines, saying it will open up exciting careers for young people and adults across Derby and Derbyshire.
The 10 year programme, announced in the Chancellor’s Budget on Wednesday 28 October, will develop cutting edge, greener gas turbine engines for civil and defence aerospace.
It is expected to support 3,300 extra jobs by the end of 2029, many of them in Derby, with the aim of strengthening engineering skills and vital development and testing capabilities in the UK.
Less than 24 hours after the announcement, Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited the Rolls-Royce civil aerospace and manufacturing campus in Sinfin, where he spent several hours talking to management, the workforce and apprentices.
The Prime Minister said of his visit: “It was fantastic to see this success story in person and meet the young people powering this world-famous firm into the future.”
He added: “It is a big commitment from us towards reindustrialisation in the Midlands. I am proud to support Rolls-Royce, arguably, one of, if not the best brand in the world.
“It is a proud British company, which will help to set the Midlands up in a very strong position for the next decade.”
Mr Burnham confirmed that Derby “will be very much at the heart” of the drive to develop engines for the fast growing narrowbody, or single aisle, aircraft market, which is expected to see new aircraft enter service in the mid to late 2030s.
Training the next generation
Employers including Rolls-Royce support the new East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) created to develop learners in the technical skills industry needs.
DCG has a long standing partnership with Rolls-Royce and delivers Level 3 apprenticeship training within the Rolls-Royce Learning and Development Centre on Wilmore Road in Derby, as part of the Rolls-Royce Academy.
DCG tutors teach Rolls-Royce apprentices aged 16 to 18 as well as adult apprentices, across areas including engineering and machining, milling and turning, welding and fabrication, electrical installation and business administration.
The college also supports maths and English for learners on the Rolls-Royce Switch into Aerospace Engineering programme.
The relationship stretches back many years. In 2009, when Rolls-Royce marked a previous Prime Ministerial visit to Derby by expanding its apprentice intake, it named Derby College as one of its partners in delivering the additional training.
With demand growing, DCG has recently strengthened its leadership of the provision with a dedicated Head of Rolls-Royce Apprenticeships role.
Heather Kelly, Deputy CEO of Derby College Group, said: “This is fantastic news for Derby and for the young people we train every day.
“Rolls-Royce is woven into the fabric of this city, and we are proud to play our part in developing the engineers, technicians and skilled professionals who keep it at the forefront of world aerospace.
“To hear the Prime Minister talk about the young people powering this firm into the future is a real tribute to the apprentices, and to our tutors at the Learning and Development Centre who work alongside Rolls-Royce colleagues to give them the very best start.
“With 3,300 extra jobs expected by the end of 2029, there has never been a better time to start an engineering apprenticeship. We would urge any young person, parent or adult thinking about a change of career to look at the opportunities right here on their doorstep.”