Next Generation Changemakers

Mia Armstrong

When I left school, I knew I wanted to do something practical. I always enjoyed subjects like metalwork and preferred learning by doing something rather than just sitting in a classroom. I also had family members who worked in the aerospace industry, so I already knew a little about it and how important it is in Ayrshire.

After leaving school I started my journey at Ayrshire College by studying the Aeronautical Performing Engineering Operations course. I chose it because it gave me the chance to start developing the skills needed for a career in engineering. Towards the end of the course, I started applying for aeronautical apprenticeships across Ayrshire and Glasgow. It was a competitive process, with a lot of people applying for a limited number of places, so getting an apprenticeship with Prestwick Aerosystems Limited was a big achievement for me.

I started in August 2024 and was able to enter directly into the second year because I had already completed the PEO (Performing Engineering Operations) course, which covers the first-year content of the apprenticeship. I successfully completed my National Certificate (NC) in Aeronautical Engineering and progressed onto Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Aeronautical Engineering, which is completed over two years. I am now in the final year of my HNC and apprenticeship and am due to finish in summer 2027.

One of the things I value most about the apprenticeship is being able to combine college with real experience. While completing my NC, I spent two days a week at college and the rest of my time in the workplace. It meant I could take what I was learning in the classroom and relate it to things I was seeing and doing at work. That has continued throughout my HNC.

Every six months, I move onto a different program within the business. This gives me the opportunity to experience different areas, work with different people and develop a wider range of skills. So far, I have worked on A320 trailing edge, A320 RTM spoilers, A350 fixed leading edge and Boeing 767 fixed leading edge. I am currently working in the calibration office, which has given me an opportunity to see a more technical side of the business alongside the hands-on work I have experienced throughout my apprenticeship.

The variety has been one of the best parts for me. Each area has taught me something different and has helped me build my confidence, communication skills and understanding of the wider business. I enjoy working with my hands, learning something new and gradually being given more responsibility.

Being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry has also been part of my experience. There are times when I have felt completely accepted but there can also be situations where you come across more traditional attitudes and feel that you have to prove yourself. Rather than letting that put me off, it has made me more determined to show what I can do. I think the industry is changing and it is important that young women know that engineering and aerospace are open to them.

Being part of that industry makes me proud. Aerospace is something Ayrshire is well known for and there are opportunities for people locally to build a career in a global industry without having to move away. The Scottish Government’s 2025 economic impact assessment describes the area around Glasgow Prestwick Airport as the centre of Scotland’s largest aerospace cluster. It estimated that around 2,500 full-time equivalent jobs were supported within the aerospace cluster.

With my apprenticeship coming to an end in 2027, I am looking forward to having more independence, continuing to challenge myself and putting everything I have learned into practice. I would like to continue progressing within the company and see where my skills and experience can take me.

My biggest piece of advice to anyone leaving school is not to worry if you don’t know exactly what you want to do; I didn’t. There are more options than just university. An apprenticeship can give you the opportunity to gain qualifications, earn while you learn and get real experience at the same time.

For young women thinking about a career in STEM, I would say don’t let it deter you that it is traditionally a male-dominated industry. If you are interested, give it a chance. You might find a career you never expected.