Introduction to SC21 Aero Excellence

SC21 and Aero Excellence

Aero Excellence (AEX) is an international programme being deployed globally by UK, French and German operating bodies, with other nations expected to join in the near future.

Whilst SC21 and AEX have many similar elements, they differ slightly in their approach to improvement planning and execution. Both SC21 and AEX philosophies are to assess the capability and maturity of a company to seek out areas for improvement.

However, SC21 has tools, tools designed in the UK to support and improve operational effectiveness. SC21 proposes to provide these tools, including the CSIP, to AEX registered companies at both the self, and official, assessment stages.

SC21 will therefore have two key roles within the competitiveness pillar of SCS:

1. The standalone improvement programme, most suited to UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space focussed SMEs

2. Improvement support for AEX, whose core constituents are likely to be larger and Aerospace, Defence and Space companies that are internationally focussed

As the heart of SC21 is the CSIP, companies can use their AEX assessment to generate a more detailed improvement plan and use all the free SC21 resource already built into the SC21 programme. AEX companies will have access to all the support, resources and tools available in SC21 including the Providers who can create bespoke, paid for, improvement activity.

Therefore, many companies can become active in both programmes simultaneously.

SC21 and AEX are complementary programmes, serving subtly different constituencies. These programmes along with the ESG and Digital pillars will combine to create a holistic improvement offering for all tiers of the aerospace, defence, space and security supply chain.

The key support mechanism in SC21 is its community. The community aims to provide a wide range of support activities including:

· Free monthly training

· Access to free webinars & podcasts

· Regular updates with useful SC21 information and business opportunities

· Events

· Award winners events

· Access to resource and tools in other SCS pillars

· SC21 based clusters

· Advice from the PMO

Free monthly Training:

Free monthly training is available to SC21 companies usually once a month, and often more frequently. The training is online and covers a wealth of continuous improvement topics. It is not mandatory, so you can choose which training is relevant to your organisation. Attendees can be any employees within an SC21 company and all are welcome.

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