Fleetlands, – Vector Aerospace Corporation (Vector - www.vectoraerospace.com), one of the world’s leading independent providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, celebrated the achievements of its apprentices at an annual prize giving and indenture ceremony, held yesterday at the De Vere New Place Hotel, Southampton.

The Advanced Aeronautical Engineering Apprenticeship involves three years of training. During this time apprentices study at Fareham College before putting theory into practice at Fleetlands under the direction of supervisors.  Nine students, aged between 19 and 27, graduated and all have been offered employment at Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services.

The ceremony was attended by a select group of VIPs including MP for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee on the Solent and Hillhead, Mrs Caroline Dinenage.  She paid tribute to the “incredibly important work” done at Fleetlands in support of the UK MoD’s fleet of Chinook, Lynx and Sea King helicopters and praised Vector Aerospace for its investment in the apprenticeship scheme.  Other dignitaries in attendance were the Mayor and Mayoress of Gosport, Councillor Roger Allen and Mrs Jill Allen; the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, Councillor Brian Bayford and Mrs Susan Bayford; the former Labour MP for Portsmouth North, Mr Syd Rapson; and representing People Face2Face, Mrs Patricia Stretton.

Tim Rice, Managing Director Vector Aerospace UK, said, “Every year I am impressed by the high levels of commitment and dedication our apprentices demonstrate. At a time when many graduates are struggling to get a foot on the career ladder, our modern apprenticeships offer a highly practical approach to starting a career in engineering.” 

The award ceremony also commemorates the achievements of apprentices across all three years of the programme and guests, made up of family and friends, watched the students being presented with their awards.  Matthew Dixon won the coveted Managing Director’s Prize for best all round apprentice; Gary Nurse won The Mayor’s Prize for efforts towards the local community; Christopher Fuga walked away with The Hexagon Shield for initiative; and Paul Cameron won The Fournir Prize for the most consistent performance on NVQ .*

*A full list of graduates and award winners appears below.

www.vectoraerospace.com

For further information please contact:
Carol Seath - CMS Strategic
020 8748 9797 or email carol.seath@cmsstrategic.com

Representing:

Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services - Fleetlands
Fareham Road
Gosport
Hampshire
PO13 0AA

Ends

About Vector Aerospace Corporation
Vector is a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Through facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Africa it provides services to commercial and military customers for various types of gas turbine engines, components and helicopter airframes. Principal operations include Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic, Vector Aerospace Engine Services-UK, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-UK and Pathix ASP.  Vector also provides information technology solutions to an international customer base.  Vector employs approximately 2,500 employees.

2010 Vector Aerospace Helicopters Services Apprentice Graduates

Christopher Fuga
David Finnegan
Edward Powell
Gary Nurse
Mark Davey
Matthew Dixon
Michael Winter
Samuel Powell
Thomas Goad

2010 Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services Apprentice Awards

The Managing Director’s Prize (best all round apprentice): Matthew Dixon

The Mayor’s Prize (for efforts towards the local community): Gary Nurse

The Gary Cup (best progress in year): Samuel Jones

The Fournir Prize (most consistent performance on NVQ): Paul Cameron

The Whitley Cup (for constant effort): Edward Powell

The Hexagon Shield (for initiative): Christopher Fuga

The Vector Values Prize – sponsored by People face2face (for dedication and engagement with Vector values): David Finnegan

The Training Centre Prize (for helpfulness and dependability): Graeme Jackson

The Bob Pike Cup (trade union cup for endeavour): John Evans

The Snap On Tools Prize (best attendance throughout apprenticeship): Gary Nurse

The Anoushka Hanham Prize (best performance in Entry 72): Matthew Bryant

First Phase Airframe Aero-Engines (Mechanical): 1st Glenn Topley, 2nd Graeme Jackson

First Phase Airframe Aero-Engines (Electrical): 1st Jack Daley, 2nd Ben Salmon

Second Phase Airframe Aero-Engines (Mechanical): 1st Nick Burley, 2nd Laurance Barnes

Second Phase Airframe Aero-Engines (Electrical): 1st Chris Bennett, 2nd Dan Browne

Third Phase Airframe Aero-Engines: 1st Matthew Dixon, 2nd Edward Powell

Fleetlands, UK – Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services – UK (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), one of the world’s leading independent providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, has proudly sponsored LAET John Andrews from 702 Squadron to run this year’s Virgin London Marathon… dressed as a helicopter! 

John has run the London Marathon once before, so is fully aware of the terrain and this year he hopes to raise £1000 for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help.  John said, “My usual time is around 4 hours, but I don’t think the rotor blades are going to be able to give me much lift sadly, so with the additional weight I’m planning on a time around the 5 ½ hour mark.”

www.vectoraerospace.com

For further information please contact Carol Seath at CMS Strategic on 020 8748 9797 or email carol.seath@cmsstrategic.com

Representing:

Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services Fleetlands
Fareham Road
Gosport
Hampshire
PO13 0AA

About Vector Aerospace Corporation (“Vector”)
Vector is a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Through facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Africa it provides services to commercial and military customers for various types of gas turbine engines, components and helicopter airframes. Principal operations include Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic, Vector Aerospace Engine Services-UK, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-UK and Pathix ASP.  Vector also provides information technology solutions to an international customer base. Vector employs approximately 2,500 employees.

Fleetlands, UK – Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services – UK (Vector – UK - www.vectoraerospace.com), one of the world’s leading independent providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) has recruited Claire Silvester as UK HR Director.  In her new role she will be responsible for the HR at the company’s aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul business at Almondbank, Croydon and Fleetlands.

Claire, who holds a BSc and MSc in Occupational Psychology, was previously with Aliaxis, the international building products group, and has more than 20 years’ experience in service and manufacturing HR.

Vector’s UK presence was expanded when the Company acquired the DARA (Defence Aviation and Repair Agency) assets from the Ministry of Defence in 2008.  As part of the acquisition and Vector UK strategy, the management team was enhanced with the addition of key roles which included the appointment of Claire as UK HR Director.

Commenting on her appointment, Claire said, ‘The opportunity to play a part in easing the former DARA businesses from a public sector to a commercially-driven culture is a rare and fascinating challenge which tempted me to move myself and family to the south coast.’

www.vectoraerospace.com
For further information please contact Nick Johnstone or Carol Seath at CMS Strategic on 020 8748 9797 or email carol.seath@cmsstrategic.com

Representing:

Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services - UK
Fareham Road
Gosport
Hampshire
PO13 0AA

About Vector Aerospace Corporation (“Vector”)
Vector is a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Through facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Africa it provides services to commercial and military customers for various types of gas turbine engines, components and helicopter airframes. Principal operations include Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic, Vector Aerospace Engine Services-UK, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-UK and Pathix ASP.  Vector also provides information technology solutions to an international customer base. Vector employs approximately 2,500 employees.