Tell us about your experience of using the RAF Air Cadets website. Please take our survey.

Tell us about your experience of using the RAF Air Cadets website. Please take our survey.

RAF Air Cadets News

Air Cadets engage in valuable work experience at GE Aerospace

From 8 July to 12 July, four Air Cadets from Central and East, London and South East, and Wales and West Regions participated in a comprehensive week of work experience at GE Aerospace, Defence and Systems UK, located in Cheltenham. This program provided an exceptional opportunity for Corporal Tolu Opaleye, Sergeant Flynn Walsh, Flight Sergeant James Nichols, and Flight Sergeant Michael Russow to immerse themselves in the aerospace industry's professional environment.

Throughout the week, the cadets were involved in a variety of activities designed to enhance their understanding and skills within the field. They had the privilege of shadowing experienced engineers, gaining insights into the daily operations and challenges faced by professionals in the aerospace sector. Additionally, the cadets took part in workshops focused on developing essential professional skills, including giving and receiving feedback, CV writing, and conducting mock interviews. A significant aspect of their experience was the tours of the production facilities at both the Cheltenham and DOWTY sites, where propellors for aircraft such as the C130 Hercules and DHC6 ‘Dash 8’ are produced. These tours offered the cadets a closer look at the manufacturing processes and the technological advancements driving the aerospace industry forward.

One of the highlights of the week was the cadets' involvement in a systems engineering project, where they successfully recreated a standby instrument using a Raspberry PI. This project not only allowed them to apply their technical knowledge but also encouraged teamwork and innovative thinking. The work experience week concluded on 12 July, with a presentation attended by Group Captain Roger Simon, Regional Commandant Wales and West Region, and senior members of GE Aerospace and DOWTY. The cadets shared their experiences and learnings from the week, culminating in the presentation of the Silver Industrial Cadets Award through the EDT, in recognition of their achievements and engagement throughout the program.

At the end of the week of work experience, Cpl Toluwalola Opaleye of 1483 (Brentwood) Sqn said, "I thoroughly enjoyed talking with people who were passionate and genuinely enjoy their jobs. The silver award project was a great way to develop skills to prepare for joining the workforce and I really enjoyed devising ways to overcome and adapt to the challenges we faced. Those interested in a career in the aviation and/or engineering industry would definitely benefit from being able to ask specific questions to enhance their own individual understanding and network"

cadets with certificates

The work experience week hosted by GE Aerospace for the air cadets represents a significant step in fostering a strong relationship between the aerospace industry and the next generation of STEM enthusiasts. This initiative serves as a model for collaboration, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industry exposure. It underscores the commitment of GE Aerospace to develop young talent and highlights the importance of partnerships in preparing individuals for future roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Veterans network stand

 

Jordan Mayes the Co-Lead of GE Aerospace UK Veterans Network was pleased to engage with the cadets, saying, "We are grateful that the Veterans Network ERG was given the opportunity to interact with the RAF Air Cadets Work Experience. Supporting Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers is an important part of the network, and it was great to see the brilliant young people these volunteers develop.  The insights and work ethic of the students was delightful to see, and the ERG is delighted to have been given the opportunity to help develop these young people.  Whether they end up pursuing careers in the military or in industry we hope they will look favorably on GE Aerospace.  The RAF Air Cadets has clearly given them the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork, discipline and work ethic and we hope they will continue to develop these traits as they move onto their next steps, wherever this is. Good luck!"

"We were delighted to run the first GE Aerospace Air Cadets Work Experience Week in July 2024.  The students we welcomed to our Cheltenham Campus were highly motivated, well prepared and keen to learn as much as they could during their time with us.  A particular benefit of running Work Experience for Air Cadets is their existing interest in Aerospace.  In addition to providing tours of our site, information and demonstrations of our products, and Work Shadowing with experienced Engineers, they were given a Cockpit Display Project to complete involving Software, Electronics and Mechanical Engineering.  Overall, a highly successful week, and the students who took part were a credit to Air Cadets."

Dan Nicholls

Engineering Early Careers Leader, Cheltenham, UK