CQM responds to changing skills landscape across North West aerospace and defence
North West Aerospace Alliance member CQM Training & Consultancy has reshaped its skills and development portfolio as aerospace and defence manufacturers adapt to changes in apprenticeship funding alongside growing demands on capacity, productivity and supply-chain performance.
The changes come at an important time for the sector. ADS’ 2026 Aerospace Outlook reports that UK aerospace is ramping up production to meet unprecedented levels of demand, despite continuing supply-chain challenges and geopolitical uncertainty. Its Defence Outlook also points to a changing operating environment in which industrial capacity, supply-chain assurance and faster innovation are becoming increasingly important.
Skills development is changing alongside these pressures. From September 2026, government funding has been withdrawn from 16 apprenticeship standards in England as part of wider reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy. They include several programmes previously used extensively for workforce development, including Team Leader Level 3, Improvement Practitioner Level 4, Operations Manager Level 5 and Improvement Leader Level 6.
Existing apprentices remain funded through to completion, but the changes leave employers considering new routes for developing leadership, Continuous Improvement and problem-solving capability across their existing workforce.
CQM has responded by developing a revised portfolio designed to maintain development pathways in these areas, drawing on both apprenticeships that remain funded and shorter professional development programmes.
The apprenticeship offer includes Improvement Technician for Team Leaders Level 3, Business Analyst Level 4, Process Leader Level 4 and Improvement Specialist Level 5, creating routes spanning practical Continuous Improvement, business and process analysis, manufacturing leadership and more advanced improvement activity, all embedded with CMI and/or Lean Six Sigma accreditation.
These are supported by professional development in Lean Six Sigma, leadership and management and focused operational improvement disciplines, giving employers different options according to occupational role, development need and the level of capability required.
The approach builds on CQM’s existing work across aerospace, defence and the wider manufacturing supply chain. For example, over the past six years, this has included improvement development with BAE Systems across its Quality function, spanning Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt and Master Black Belt capability.
Andy Cheshire, Managing Director of CQM Training & Consultancy, said:
“Aerospace and defence manufacturers are operating against a backdrop of growing demand, pressure on capacity and continuing challenges across the supply chain. At the same time, the routes employers have traditionally used to develop some of the skills needed to respond are changing.”
“The withdrawal of funding from established leadership and improvement apprenticeships means employers need to look again at how they build capability across different levels of their workforce.”
“Our focus has been on maintaining those development pathways. There are still strong apprenticeship routes available, alongside professional development that can support specific leadership, improvement and operational requirements. For the North West aerospace and defence supply chain, continuing to invest in the capability of existing people will be an important part of responding to the opportunities ahead.”
To learn more about CQM Training and Consultancy’s services please visit: cqmltd.co.uk
