We’re celebrating the start of the new academic year with exciting news, as South Tyneside College students Izzy York, Ben Murphy and Callum Ratcliffe embark on new careers at Ford Aerospace in South Shields.
Having successfully completed a Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy pre-apprenticeship engineering programme here at South Tyneside College, the apprentices are the first students from this cohort to progress directly into employment opportunities, marking an important milestone for both the College and the partnership.
Launched in 2013, the Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy was designed to create a direct pathway into engineering careers while helping address skills shortages across the sector and has helped hundreds of students to find careers in engineering and manufacturing.
The achievement comes at a crucial time for the sector, with engineering employers continuing to report challenges in recruiting skilled workers. The programme helps develop a pipeline of local talent equipped with the skills needed by industry.
As part of the programme, students on the inaugural cohort, completed the City & Guilds Level 2 Machining and Manufacturing qualification while gaining valuable practical experience and industry insight.
Following a competitive recruitment process that included interviews and practical work trials, Izzy, Ben and Callum were selected to join Ford Aerospace Academy as full-time apprentices, beginning their careers in September 2026. The trio successfully secured their places against numerous applicants, highlighting both their commitment and the high standard required to progress into the industry.
Neil Bowen, Head of STEM and Green Initiatives at South Tyneside College, said:
We're incredibly proud of Izzy, Ben and Callum for securing apprenticeships with Ford Aerospace. Their success demonstrates the value of strong industry partnerships and the opportunities available to students who are willing to work hard and develop their skills. Through a combination of practical workshop experience, classroom learning and employer engagement, our students are gaining the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in the engineering industry.
One of the new apprentices, Izzy, was also recognised as Student of the Year after achieving 100% attendance and punctuality while consistently producing high-quality work throughout the programme.
Izzy said:
I first heard about the programme when Ford Aerospace representatives visited my school to talk about career opportunities. I've always been interested in engineering and enjoyed building things from a young age, so it felt like the perfect pathway for me. I'm really excited to begin my apprenticeship and continue developing my skills in a real working environment.
Callum added:
I've always enjoyed practical work and making things. The best part of the course was being in the workshop because every day was different and I learned something new.
Ben said:
After attending a college open event and speaking with representatives from Ford Aerospace, I was really interested in the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working towards a career in engineering. The support from both the College and Ford throughout the programme has been fantastic.
The three apprentices will continue their studies with South Tyneside College for two days each week while spending the remainder of their time gaining valuable workplace experience at Ford Aerospace.
The success of Izzy, Ben and Callum highlights the impact of employer-led training programmes and demonstrates how partnerships between education and industry can help bridge skills gaps while creating career opportunities for local people.
Karl Dambers, Operations Manager at Ford Aerospace said:
As a small business ourselves, we know first-hand how vital it is to support skills development and offer opportunities that are in step with company requirements. The Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy pre-apprenticeship programmes are designed with the colleges to help students develop skills in line with the needs of industry. The decision to offer apprenticeships to Izzy, Ben and Callum is testament to the quality of the programmes and the success of our latest partnership with South Tyneside. It is a pleasure to welcome all three to the team.
For students considering a future in engineering, the Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy partnership offers the opportunity to gain industry-recognised qualifications, practical experience and valuable employer connections, all while developing the skills needed to succeed in a growing sector.
Following the success of the first cohort, South Tyneside College and Ford Aerospace hope to create further opportunities for learners through the Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy to develop the skills, experience and industry connections needed to build successful careers in engineering and manufacturing.
