Royal Air Force Museum Cosford Wins Top National Award
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford was last night crowned Winners of the ‘Small Employer of the Year Award 2010′ at The National Apprenticeship Awards 2010, an Oscar style awards ceremony in London.
Currently five apprentices are employed in the Museum’s Michael Beetham Conservation Centre. MBCC Manager Mr Tim Wallis and Training Manager, Mick Shepherd, were presented the award by Mr Peter Butler of BT, who sponsored the Small Employer of the Year category.
Mick Shepherd, Training Manager says:
“We are all absolutely delighted to have received this award. It is a wonderful accolade for the Royal Air Force Museum and particularly to the staff of the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre, who have all shown great patience and understanding while passing on their skills and knowledge to our young apprentices.
It also reassures our Trustees that the massive investment they made, and the faith they placed, in the Apprenticeship Scheme has been completely worthwhile and underpins their ongoing commitment to the programme.”
This time of year marks an important period for the apprentice programme as the annual exchange with students from America under the partnership established with and supported by, the museum’s American Foundation takes place. Next week will see two of Cosford’s apprentices Nathan Pugh and Martin Purcell-Shaw along with Deputy MBCC Manager, Darren Priday travel to America for a three week exchange programme.
The success of this ever-widening international scheme emphasises the growth and value attached to the MBCC’s forward thinking apprentice initiative and wider conservation training programme. The Conservation Centre currently has a team of five apprentices; soon to be seven as two new apprentices join the Museum later this year. In 2011, the MBCC will also manage Conservation courses for Aviation Engineering communities globally.
The Apprenticeships Awards 2010 is managed by City & Guilds within the structure of the Government National Apprentice Scheme.
The Conservation Centre will be open to the public from 15-20 November 2010 for visitors to gain behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work and have a rare opportunity to view current projects including the latest arrival, the Wellington. Open from 10.15am – 1.00pm.
The Museum is open daily from 10am – 6pm (last admission 5pm), admission is FREE.