Skills

THE NUMBER 1 AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IN EUROPE

As the number one aerospace industry in Europe, the UK appeals to global aerospace manufacturers because of its world class capabilities.

This high-technology, high-skill industry features a broad range of high-value disciplines, including engineering, science, project management, production, service, training and finance. As such, it remains at the forefront of new research and development (R&D). The UK aerospace sector directly employs almost 110,000 people across the country and many more in the supply chain, with an advanced manufacturing base providing work for around 3,000 companies of all sizes.

In particular, south west England has a strong presence of global players and generates a breadth of specialist technical knowledge for the aerospace sector. The region has a proven ability to produce spin-out companies with linkages and diversification into related sectors and has the largest amount of investment in aerospace for R&D in the UK. As a result, leading academic institutions produce high calibre graduates, and the region benefits from expertise in robotics, autonomous systems, composites, ceramics, avionics and other higher value added technologies.


Universities and Colleges

Universities and colleges offering advanced engineering courses in the South West:

 

Resources

News and Posts

ADS South West Making a Difference Awards 2026 – Nominate Today

Applications are now open for the ADS South West Annual Making a Difference Awards 2026, and we invite you to showcase your achievements. These prestigious awards celebrate individuals, teams and organisations driving progress across the aerospace, defence, security...

The countdown to Farnborough International Airshow 2026

With just over two months to go, countdown is officially underway for Farnborough International Airshow 2026 – a cornerstone event in the global aerospace and defence calendar. ADS South West is proud to be showcasing the strength, innovation and capability of the...

Bristol & Bath Cluster Meeting Round-Up

Last week marked our first cluster meeting as ADS South West, bringing 60+ members together for a productive morning of collaboration and networking. We kicked off with arrival informal networking, followed by a warm welcome from Lee Bruce, who set the scene with...

FIA Masterclass Webinar: Key Takeaways Ahead of This Year’s Show

A big thank you to everyone who joined the ADS South West team for our Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) Masterclass webinar, and especially to our speakers who shared their time, experience and honest advice on how to get the most out of this year’s Farnborough...