Gloucestershire-based Ontic, the leading licensor and manufacturer of complex engineered parts for the global aerospace and defense industries, is proud to sign The Tomorrow's Engineers Code during Tomorrow's Engineers Week.

The code, launched in 2020, is a commitment to work towards common goals to increase the diversity and number of young people entering engineering careers. Centred around four pledges, signatories commit to inspiring connection, driving inclusion, showcasing engineering and improving impact. With over 200 signatories and supporters - including the Department for Education, Network Rail and Shell - the code is powered by Engineering UK.

Ontic, which has facilities in Staverton and Bishops Cleeve, is committed to its early careers programmes, with apprentices, graduates and interns a key part of its operations.

Ontic has increased its current apprentice numbers by more than 300 per cent in 2022, with another increase anticipated for the 2023 intake. It is also getting ready to launch its apprenticeship programme in the US next year.

Signing the code will help collaborate with other industries and ensure that aerospace can promote a positive culture and impactful engineering activities, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socio-economic background.

Gareth Hall, Ontic CEO, said: "We're going through a period of rapid growth and it's important to put in place the fundamentals to make Ontic a great company to work for.

"The code gives us focus around our STEM activities and early careers recruitment and it also aligns to our corporate values - A Common Sense, Freedom to Choose and Create the Opportunity. We are already doing many activities detailed within the pledge and, by signing it, we are committed to evidencing this."

Melanie Washington, director of engagement projects at Engineering UK, said: "The Tomorrow's Engineers Code is a growing community of almost 250 organisations, committed to inspire the next generation of engineers through funding, designing or delivering impactful engineering outreach. It is brilliant to see more and more engineering organisations join the code and I am excited to welcome Ontic into the community.

"There is no company or organisation that can single-handedly address the skills challenge we face in engineering. That is why it is important to collaborate to understand what works well and what we can do more of, to drive up the quality of engagement activities for young people and, through the code, we can do this better together."