Leonardo Apprentices Set Sights on Sustainability Prize

01 March 2021

A team of Design Engineering Graduate Apprentices from Leonardo’s Edinburgh site has developed a business model for a sustainable aircraft decommissioning facility as part of the ‘Fuel Change’ challenge (in partnership with Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council), which applies innovative low carbon solutions to real issues currently being faced by industry in Scotland.

Natalie Crawford-Smith, Rebecca Lake, Kirsty McCusker, Carly O’Hagan, Ross Pringle, Ethan Rae and Finlay Waddell are all part of Leonardo’s Graduate Apprenticeship programme, which includes time spent studying at the University of Strathclyde to work towards qualifications while learning on the job.

Their proposal sees an Aircraft Decommissioning and Repurposing Facility being built at Prestwick Airport, which would be capable of handling disassembly, sorting materials, recycling aluminium and processing parts.

“This year, there will be a lot of focus on the COP26 UN Conference in Glasgow and it is the perfect time to be exploring new business opportunities that are built around sustainability,” explains Second Year apprentice Ross. “We don't only want to increase the effective reuse and recycling of materials; we've found a viable business concept where new streams of business could be created around repurposing materials into new production lines. We're very excited by the potential of our business model.”

The team will be showcasing their proposal to a panel of industry experts at an online event later this week, as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, having made it through the previous stages of the challenge.

“It has been so inspirational to work on this business plan. Seeing the motivation everyone has to reach our net-zero goal and save the planet gives us such hope for the future,” adds Natalie.