The cohort began their apprenticeships amid challenging circumstances – in September 2020, during the middle of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns – which resulted in much of their first year of learning being online. However, Degree Apprentices Solomon McKiernan, Harry Jackson, Runjie Wei, Alex Wall and Taiye Jebutu, and Technical Apprentices Melissa Hobbs and Alex Davis all settled in well, and when Covid restrictions were lifted, they attended in-person lectures and worked in Leonardo’s labs at Luton. The Degree Apprentices studied with the University of Hertfordshire and the Technical Apprentices studied with Bedford College.
The five Degree Apprentices were among the first to join Leonardo's Degree Apprenticeship schemes, and all achieved a 2:1 or first class honours.
Solomon, Harry, Runjie, Alex Wall and Taiye were part of the team that won the 2021 IMechE Apprentice Automation Challenge with their Smart Mirror. This led to them exhibiting the mirror at the Smart Factory Expo in Liverpool, as well as attending the TMMX Manufacturing Industry awards. Sol also received an award from the university for achieving the highest grade in the year group.
Outside their studies, the apprentices also made a significant contribution to the Luton site’s charitable initiatives, taking part in a skydive, Three Peaks Challenge, car washes and Serpentine swim, as well as organising football tournaments. As part of Leonardo’s inclusion and diversity programme, Melissa has become an active member of the Carers network, delivering awareness presentations across the company and being an advocate for colleagues with caring responsibilities.
Hannah Newton, VP Human Resources, Leonardo UK, said: “We are very proud of everyone who joins our Early Career programmes and all that they achieve at Leonardo, both while on the programme and in their careers that follow it. Our People Team, together with our experienced engineers, operations leaders and business professionals, works hard to support our apprentices and share their knowledge and experience with them to give them a great start to their professional lives.”
After presenting certificates to the graduates, Leonardo’s Senior Vice President Electronic Warfare, Iain Bancroft, added: “This cohort experienced an unconventional programme with many changes and challenges, but they have all taken these head on to achieve great results in their qualifications, building their networks and now moving into permanent roles across the business. I congratulate Sol, Harry, Melissa, Runjie, Alex, Alex and Taiye on their achievements, and look forward to seeing them progress their careers with Leonardo.”