Bedford College aerospace engineering student
Adam Layer is about to join a specialist high flying team at the
Shuttleworth Collection of vintage aircraft.
The Shuttleworth Trust (Education) set up a
trainee scheme, in partnership with Bedford College and Marshall
Aerospace, leading to the first trainee engineers in 30 years to
join the specialists at the collection
Adam Layer now joins Gareth Rutt (pictured
above), both Bedford College students and now trainee engineers
renovating historic aircraft.
As an air cadet at the age of 13 years, Adam's
dreamed of becoming an engineer and working with historic
aircraft. He said:
“I knew I wanted to focus on historic aircraft
and to get this job at the Shuttleworth Trust is absolutely
brilliant. The course at Bedford College has opened the door
to the career that I want and I'm determined to do well, working
with people at Shuttleworth and continuing my studies at Bedford
College and with Marshall Aerospace”.
Una Watts, Trust General Manager, explained
that the new trainee scheme is already proving to be a huge success
and the close working relationship with Bedford College and
Marshall Aerospace ensures that everything is in place to lead to
Licensed Engineer status for trainees and for a new generation of
qualified engineers to work with the prized Shuttleworth
Collection.
She added:
“We have many young people who want to get
involved working with us in a voluntary or trainee capacity.
Our volunteers span the generations from enthusiasts with a wealth
of experience, such as our pilots and engineers, to younger people
who want to learn a skill. Gareth and Adam have certainly set
a high standard for others to follow.”
“The Shuttleworth Collection is about living
history and the people who work here are extremely proud of this
unique collection of aircraft and motors that continue to be
lovingly restored.”
The staff of 21, including 7 engineers, are
supported by a dedicated and committed team of 120 volunteers, some
of them highly skilled, who give their time in many different roles
from pilots to engineers and helping in the smooth running of the
many events that take place over the year.
With over 50 world-famous vintage aircraft all
in flying condition, visitors to the Shuttleworth Collection can
see over 100 years of aviation history and experience the thrill of
unique and spectacular air shows. Historic cars, motorcycles
and coaches complete the collection, housed within eight floodlit
hangars.