BAE Systems is once again supporting EmiratesSkills, the national event that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies, and is returning for 2014 as a Gold Sponsor.

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting educational initiatives in the UAE, BAE Systems is pleased to participate at this week’s event to support and encourage young Emiratis to join the country’s burgeoning aerospace sector.

Steve Wearden, an executive in BAE Systems’ Military Air business, is joining the judging panel for the Aircraft Maintenance category of the National Competition as part of the company’s presence. He will be joined on the BAE Systems stand by Dave Holmes, a technical apprentice with BAE Systems and Helena Chantry, a BAE Systems’ graduate engineer, who will offer insights and information to students considering a career in engineering and answer questions about their experiences of working for a global defence, aerospace and security company.

Discussing BAE Systems’ participation, Wearden, said: “BAE Systems is committed to inspiring young people and to develop their talent and interest, particularly in aerospace and engineering.  Our graduates and apprentices, such as Helena and Dave, really demonstrate the future of this exciting sector.  I believe that EmiratesSkills is a fantastic opportunity to get young Emiratis enthusiastic about joining the industry, so we’re proud to continue to be a part of the journey of inspiring and evolving the skills of the UAE’s youth”.

To showcase a state-of-the art product of the future, a cockpit from a Typhoon fighter jet is on the BAE Systems stand to give Emirati students  hands-on experience of some of BAE Systems’ aviation technologies, whilst skills based activities can test the mental agility of all those who visit the show.

EmiratesSkills is a programme under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) and its activities are focused on raising the awareness of career-based technical and vocational education among young Emiratis by organising competitions, events, training programmes and technical career activities.

EmiratesSkills 2014 is taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) from 14-16 April.