Scotland’s aerospace sector is entering an exciting new chapter – and Ayrshire is at the heart of it. With AERALIS selecting Glasgow Prestwick Airport as the site for its UK final assembly line, we’ve signalled a long-term commitment to building next-generation aircraft in the region, creating opportunities for local talent and driving economic growth.

Anton Burford and Callum Watson visited Ayrshire College yesterday to deliver a compelling insight for students and staff into how we are redefining fast-jet development with our fully integrated digital approach across the entire aircraft lifecycle.

Our pioneering use of model-based systems engineering, world-first digital certification and unrivalled depths of collaboration across AERALIS’s AERTEAM alliance of UK industry partners and wider supply chain ecosystem, are dramatically accelerating our development timeline compared to traditional fast jet programmes, enabling us to fly within three years and enter production in five.

Callum and Anton highlighted the many ways Ayrshire talent can play a role in the AERALIS programme, including opportunities for highly-skilled apprenticeships and jobs, which understandably sparked great engagement and real excitement about the future of aerospace engineering in Scotland.

Ayrshire College is a cornerstone of Scotland’s aerospace skills ecosystem. Its Aeronautical Engineering Training Centre delivers industry-standard courses including pre-apprenticeship provision, HNC Aircraft Engineering and sector leading composite repair training. They are also currently supporting more than 300 aerospace apprentices through partnerships with leading employers such as GE Aerospace, PAML and Prestwick AeroSystems. Located just three miles from the Prestwick Aerospace Campus, the college is perfectly positioned to supply the skilled workforce needed for AERALIS’s groundbreaking programme.

Thank you to the College for hosting us and to all the students who engaged with such enthusiasm.

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