The latest September intake of apprentices has started work at the Airbus (www.airbus.com) facility in Broughton (Flintshire), which employs about 6,000 people.

A spokeswoman said: “Airbus Broughton took on 117 apprentices for its craft, higher and degree apprentice schemes — the largest intake in the last 10 years.

"They are starting training to become skilled aircraft fitters and electricians, engineers, business managers, logistics managers and finance professionals. They will complete their schemes with academic and vocational qualifications.

“Throughout the UK, Airbus has taken on more than 160 apprentices this year and more than 500 apprentices over the last five years.

"Many of those who completed their programmes used the opportunity to work in one of our facilities overseas. In addition, around 70% of the senior management team at the Broughton plant in North Wales began their careers as apprentices.”

Broughton is the wing production plant for the entire Airbus range of commercial aircraft, from the A320 family to the A380 jumbo jet.

The wings are transported by Beluga planes — or in the case of the A380, by barge and ship — to final assembly sites across Europe.