Airbus has taken on a record number of new apprentices at its Broughton site – surpassing even last year’s bumper total.

One-hundred-and-fifty-five craft and undergraduate apprentices joined the aerospace company’s site in North Wales this week, with a further 37 apprentices starting at its Filton base.

In addition, Airbus’ graduate programme welcomed 46 new trainee appointments in Filton and 16 in Broughton.

Head of the Broughton plant Paul McKinlay said: “An Airbus apprenticeship is an excellent way for talented young people to start their career while carrying on their academic studies, gaining invaluable work experience and earning a good salary at the same time.

“The company benefits too by attracting the best young talent and harnessing their skills, enthusiasm and abilities.

“Our apprentices and graduates bring new ideas and fresh approaches to the future challenges we face in this exciting industry and I’m sure our new starters this week will go on to have long and fruitful careers here at Airbus.”

Gavin Jones, head of early careers at Airbus in the UK, added: “The value of our apprenticeship and graduate programmes speak for themselves, with so many going on to extremely successful careers in aerospace and aviation.”