Scottish Aerospace Skills at Prestwick Highlighted in UK Parliamentary Hearing
Industry representatives told UK lawmakers that backing Scotland’s aerospace skills and industrial base at Prestwick is essential for preserving jobs and capabilities across the sector. The comments came during evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee in Westminster on January 20, where aerospace experts stressed the need for ongoing public sector support.
Andrew Kinniburgh, Director-General of Make UK Defence, and Warrick Malcolm, Director at ADS Scotland, outlined how the region’s workforce and industrial ecosystem contribute to UK aerospace and defence. They said sustained investment, policy clarity, and support from both UK and Scottish governments will be key to ensuring long-term growth.
Prestwick as a Strategic Aerospace Hub
Prestwick in South Ayrshire is well established as a core hub for maintenance, repair, overhaul, and aerospace engineering. The site hosts major operations for global companies and plays a significant role in Scotland’s aerospace cluster.
Prestwick’s aerospace ecosystem includes capabilities in advanced manufacturing, aero structures, engine overhaul, and specialised design work. Companies such as GE Caledonian operate engine support facilities there, anchoring a skilled industrial base that supports both civil and defence sectors.
Industry witnesses told MPs that the region’s existing workforce could be busier if supported by consistent policy and investment. They noted that training institutions like Ayrshire College are tightly linked with industry, offering pathways into high-value aerospace roles.
AERALIS Project Cited as Catalyst
Evidence to the committee highlighted the AERALIS advanced trainer aircraft programme as a prominent example of Scotland’s aerospace potential. AERALIS has selected Prestwick Airport as the proposed location for a UK final assembly line for its next-generation aircraft, with implications for local jobs and skills retention.
Industry leaders said the proposed project could mark the first time a whole aircraft is designed and built in Scotland in decades. They argued this model aligns industry needs with regional skills development, potentially creating hundreds of jobs.
Skills, Jobs, and Industrial Capacity
Kinniburgh told MPs that the aerospace cluster around Prestwick offers an example of how education and industry collaboration can work. This integration, he said, reflects how future growth in aerospace jobs and capability could be sustained if supported by clear public policy.
Malcolm described Ayrshire as one of the sector’s key locations in Scotland, with a workforce and infrastructure that contribute to the wider UK aerospace industry. He reiterated the importance of protecting these skills to compete globally.
Broader Context
Scotland’s aerospace sector accounts for a significant share of the UK’s industry, with strong workforce skills and a mature industrial base. Prestwick and the surrounding area support a large portion of Scotland’s aerospace employment and capabilities, including research, design, and maintenance activities.
Leaders from both industry and government have noted that ongoing investment in skills, infrastructure, and facilities is central to maintaining competitiveness and securing inward investment.
