Aspiring aviation students are one-step closer to achieving their ambitions after New Anglia LEP secured £3m Growth Fund money to kick-start the development of the aviation academy at Norwich International Airport.
The £12.5m project, unveiled in September 2013, will create an internationally-recognised centre of excellence for education and skills in aviation with a unique collaboration between the region’s employers, education groups, the LEP and local authorities.
It will be the first of its kind in the UK and support 80 engineering apprenticeships per year, as well as degree-level and further and higher education courses in engineering, airport operations and cabin crew training, for hundreds of students. The £3m secured by the LEP will pay for the creation of the centre at the airport.
Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP said: “This project is the centerpiece of all our ambitions to create an aviation cluster around Norwich Airport. The benefits of this academy will be felt by aviation businesses across the UK and the world, it will be a powerful draw for further inwards investment and once again give our region a strong competitive advantage over other key European locations. The academy presents a whole new world of opportunities for local students and we are delighted to have been able to support its creation.”
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Norwich International Airport, said. “The Norwich International Aviation Academy addresses two key issues. Firstly it helps to satisfy the demand for diverse skills at Norwich Airport, a demand which is increasing as the airport, and the businesses that are based here, grow. Without the right skills, the potential of these businesses, and of the Airport, will not be realised.
Secondly, it projects a clear message both across the UK and internationally that we are intent on becoming a centre of excellence for aviation. There is a well-documented global skills deficit across a range of aviation activities which the academy will help to address. This facility will enable local students to go global in their career ambitions, and will attract students into the region from the UK market and overseas.”
KLM UK Engineering Limited has been a founding partner in the project. Arjan Meijer, managing director, said: “KLM UK Engineering is looking forward to delivering its Aircraft Engineering courses to a much larger group of students through the NIAA than can currently be managed at our own college. This will allow the company to transfer its excellent skills and knowledge to the aircraft maintenance engineers of the future.
I am very excited about the academy as it will significantly increase the availability of local technically trained staff for our company. To interest future generations early-on for jobs in aviation is crucial, not only for sustaining our current aircraft maintenance business, but also to allow for further growth of our industry worldwide. The NIAA will position Norwich firmly on the international aviation industry map.”
Simon Witts, Chief Executive of Aviation Skills Partnership said: “We are delighted that we have been able to play a pivotal role in bringing the partners together to make this project a reality. With our main skills partners City College Norwich and University of East Anglia and main project partners NPS Group and WT Partnership, we are immensely proud that we can launch the first of our planned Aviation Skills Hubs in Norwich, a City within a region that I believe offers exactly the right ingredients for a successful academy”.
The remainder of the £12.5m investment is expected to come from loan funding and the private sector, who will provide the “real world” training experience with a full size aircraft, plus additional equipment and aviation facilities.
It is supported by a core group of founding partners, including KLM UK Engineering, Norwich International Airport, Aviation Skills Partnership, City College Norwich, University of East Anglia, New Anglia LEP, Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and Broadland District Council.
The Academy plans to open its doors in September 2016 although a ‘feeder’ programme with City College Norwich started in September 2014.
