b'28 Partner News Spring 2024CorporateLeonardo championsLeonardo as well as the importance of skills and innovative technology throughout the region. Then Rt Hon Justine Greening of This is Purpose raised how Leonardo can enact the strength ofsocial mobility through one life at time, a real-life example captured by Leonardo trainee, Freya Woollett.areospace in theFreya is in her third year of a mechanical engineering apprenticeship at Leonardo in Yeovilthe Home of British Helicopters South West at the and she spoke at the event on how she ended up joining the company to explore an engineering career.Houses of ParliamentA friend of mine worked as an apprentice at Leonardos Basildon site and explained the different career paths in engineering and all the apprenticeship opportunities available to me. All thanks to the outreach from the company I discovered Leonardo and the work they do. When I was considering my future career goals I was inspired by their reputation for innovation, Clive Higgins, Chair and CEO of IETClive spoke to an audience of MPs, whichrich history, and excellence in the aerospace Corporate Partner Leonardo in the UK,included Chris Loder (West Dorset) andindustry [The company] provides a unique who started his career as an apprenticeMarcus Fysh (Yeovil). Further attendeeslearning experience and the opportunity at the Leonardos helicopters site inincluded Sarah Dyke MP (Somerton andto learn from experienced professionals, Yeovil, delivered a compelling address toFrome), Maria Eagle MP, Shadow MinisterI immediately knew it would be the best assembled MPs at the Houses of Parliamentfor Defence, and members from acrossplace to start my career, Freya shared.recently. Leonardos supply chain, such as Ford Aerospace, Helitune, and Morson Projects.The event brought the South West to Clive described Leonardos groundbreakingYeovils trainee charity PROMISEWorks,Westminster highlighting the Home of innovation that has not only boosted BritishSTEM Returners, MakeUK, AFBE-UK, RUSI,British Helicopters well-established position manufacturing, but brought strength to theamongst many significant stakeholders,in UK aerospace today and the significant industrial roots of the South West throughincluding a number of Leonardo trainees,role it plays through investment, exports, high quality jobs and long-term socialwere also present. early careers, the supply chain, and its mobility. military capabilities. Clive was joined by Mark Bolton, CEO & Clive Higgins, CEO and Chair of LeonardoPrincipal of Yeovil College, who described UK, commented: Following the officialthe long partnership established with recognition last August of Yeovil as the Home of British helicopters, we are continuing to raise awareness of the significance of the town in the defence of the realm and our vital onshore industry role. Not enough people are aware of Yeovils vital contribution to British aerospace history, or its modern-day position at the heart of our national defence. By drawing attention at events like this, we are helping to secure its future as a proud champion of British engineering and advanced manufacturing. Leonardo in Yeovil represents an established onshore base of high-end skills and direct, long-term investment into the UK - through our supply chain, our people, and our world-leading aircraft.'