The Museum was nominated in the ‘Small Employer of the Year’ category, for a second year in a row, at the prestigious event held in London.

In 2010 the Museum was crowned winner in the ‘Small Employer of the Year’ category at both the West Midlands regional event and the National event. To win the award last year and to be ‘Highly Commended’ this year, emphasises the growth and value attached to the Museum’s forward thinking Apprentice initiative and wider conservation training programme.

RAF Museum Training Manager, Mick Shepherd says:

“Our Apprentices have become a vital element of our team and we are extremely proud of all of them. We have only had Apprentices for a little over 5 years and each year we have adjusted what we do to ensure our youngsters get the very best practical training and the associated support they need to give them the best possible start in their chosen careers. Awards such as this prove we are on the right track.”

The Museum is committed to preserving aviation heritage through its conservation of aircraft and associated exhibits, whilst recognising the need to ensure that unique skills are retained, nurtured and developed amongst the younger generation. Each Apprentice works closely with a master craftsman and given the ever-increasing work that the Conservation Centre undertakes, growth in these specialist trades is essential.

The Museum works in partnership with Telford College of Arts & Technology and Wolverhampton College for the academic and specialist vocational education of the Apprentices as well as the assessment and verification of their skills for NVQ awards.