During a visit to Leonardo, the Home of British Helicopters, the incoming High Sheriff of Somerset Janet Montgomery, described how young people’s first taste of skills development is often through industry.
Joined by the current High Sheriff, Rob Beckley, Janet highlighted how unprecedented pressures mean that traditional youth development resources can’t always be stretched to reach every young person, so companies like Leonardo are more vital than ever to Somerset’s future.
Janet said: “I met with Leonardo trainee Jazmin Tucker, who told me that she first came across Leonardo through the Flying Start Challenge, which taught her about engineering through a glider building activity. 
“Through the Flying Start scheme, she’s now an ambassador and she’s helping to lead this scheme for children in local schools. It was very much an introduction to engineering for her, which led her to where she is now.”
Janet underlined the importance of skills development in Somerset at all stages of a person’s life and praised the company’s cross-generational focus on mental health, which she tied to people’s capacity to use their skills.
Janet said: “I think that mental health is central to people’s ability to access their skills, because it is the foundation to everything.
“During my visit I’ve learned about the meaning and fulfilment employees have found through building a community garden, fundraising for community organisations such as The Hub and PromiseWorks and creating networking opportunities for all generations of female engineers through AeroWomen.
“I feel that there is a very nurturing environment here for the staff and it is not only very people centred, but also very community centred as well. This holistic approach helps to retain skills in Somerset long-term, because people need to feel a genuine connection to their community.”
Trainees shared their personal experiences of their skills development and their voluntary work in the community.
Trainee Freya Andrews said: “Both Janet and Rob seemed really interested in what we were doing as trainees across the business. They said we were part of a very authentic community which was really nice to hear, because we have been working on projects like Flying Start and AeroWomen for a few years now.”
The visit included a tour of the final assembly line, where helicopters are prepared for their first flights, as well as a simulator to experience what it is like to pilot one of the helicopters.
Clive Higgins, Chair and CEO of Leonardo UK said: “It was fantastic to welcome Rob and Janet to our facility, and I know that the positive feedback they shared with our people was very encouraging for them.
“ Both Rob and Janet’s deep commitment to the community, volunteering and skills development of people across the region has been reflected through her support for education at trustee and governor level over the years and today she has helped us feel a sense of pride in the contribution we can make to skills in Somerset now and in the future.”
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