Jordan’s flying high with aerospace job

Ballymena student Jordan Hunter (second from right) pictured at the launch of Hutchinson Aerotech with the Hutchinson AeroTech team. (L-R) Ben Wilson, Hutchinson AeroTech; Dermot Hughes, Hutchinson AeroTech; Mark Hutchinson, Managing Director, Hutchinson AeroTech; Michael Sherratt, Production Manager, Hutchinson AeroTech; Jordan Hunter; Richard Hutchinson, Operations Director, SJC Hutchinson Engineering. Ballymena student Jordan Hunter has topped off an incredible learning experience at Hutchinson AeroTech with an offer of employment from the firm. Jordan; who is now one of the UKs youngest trained laser cutting operators; will work for the firm a specialist division of SJC Hutchinson Engineering formed to service the fabrication needs of the multibillion dollar; global aerospace industry part time while he completes his engineering studies at Northern Regional College.

Jordan, who is now one of the UK’s youngest trained laser cutting operators, will work for the firm – a specialist division of SJC Hutchinson Engineering formed to service the fabrication needs of the multibillion dollar, global aerospace industry – part-time while he completes his engineering studies at Northern Regional College (NRC).

His placement with the firm was part of the NRC’s pioneering Engineering Career Academy, which selects some 15 full-time engineering students to experience the world of work in local engineering firms in order to inspire them and enhance their employability.

William Watson, Curriculum Manager, Career Academy (Engineering) says, “Jordan has done extremely well with the support of both NRC and of course the Hutchinson’s team. The Ballymena campus was the first in Northern Ireland to pilot the engineering programme in 2012 and we have had excellent feedback from all the companies we have worked with.

“This was a great opportunity for Jordan, one which he seized with both hands. Through lectures, mentoring, workplace visits and internships we want to prepare students for the world of work and show them the possibilities that are available to them.”

Jordan, who began studying BTEC Level 3 Engineering in 2012, spent six weeks at Hutchinson AeroTech, and following his initial placement the company were so pleased with his work that they extended his internship and have now contracted him to work two days 2 days per week.