IAC founder wins coveted award
Founding member of the IAC and EAL learner, Hal Willis, has been named as Airbus Apprentice of the Year at the company’s recognition of learning event in Filton.
Hal gained a first for his foundation degree from the University of the West of England and is in his final year of his BEng in Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering. In his role at Airbus he works on development of the A350-1000 wing, with a focus on fatigue and damage tolerance. He also supports the development of analysis software and has trained experienced engineers to use it.
Hal has previously been named Joint Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Engineering and Manufacturing at the 2014 Bristol Post and Bath Chronicle Apprenticeship Awards earlier this year.
He was motivated to apply for this apprenticeship because of his passion for aviation. He has a private pilot’s licence and has volunteered at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford.
Tony Rooke, Early Careers Manager, said: “Hal is an outstanding apprentice and it's great for him that his achievements have been recognised in this way. With so much competition for Airbus apprenticeships, we know that all our apprentices are the best and we're proud of them all.”
Natalie Wilson, Product Manager of industry specialist awarding agency EAL, presented the coveted award to Hal at the company’s Recognition of Learning event.
“Hal’s career has well and truly taken off” said Natalie. “We at EAL will be following his career with special interest.”
