Wrexham-based Magellan Aerospace (www.magellan.aero) has been shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.

It hopes to be named Large Employer of the Year at the awards ceremony on 9 November (to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport).

The annual awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship Programmes.

Dave Evans, Magellan Aerospace’s training and development officer, said: “We have worked closely with Coleg Cambria to make sure that our programmes fit in with the needs of our business.

“We are also part of the college’s engineering employer network, where we can share best practice and discuss common issues.

"This means that we take part in events to promote apprenticeships — not just to support our own recruitment but to share our experience and that of our apprentices.”

The company has more than 400 employees, who design, engineer and manufacture aero-engine and aero-structure assemblies and components.

Its apprentices are encouraged to become an integral part of the community by getting involved in fund-raising for the college charity, as well as promoting the benefits of apprenticeships to other local businesses and schools.

It currently has 74 apprentices on its books.

Vicky Barwis, director of work-based learning at Coleg Cambria, said: “Magellan Aerospace is a model company, when it comes to apprentices.

“It is a real partnership approach to the programme, with Magellan starting early to talk to full-time students to ensure that it is recruiting the best local raw talent for its business.”