Regional development agency One NorthEast has approved funding towards a £3.2m project to expand the Newcastle Aviation Academy and create a new generation of skilled engineers.
Launched in 2003, the academy provides students in the North East with world-class training and qualifications. Work will start on the expansion after the application for £1.69m worth of investment from One NorthEast, via the TyneWear Partnership, was successful. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East, which is a key partner in the academy, also provided funding along with Newcastle College.
The current Aviation Academy is based over two sites, an Aeronautical Engineering workshop at Newcastle College and an aircraft hanger in Newcastle International Airport, which includes a HS125 and a fully functional Boeing 737 aircraft on site.
The expansion will create a regional facility and ‘one stop shop’ for aviation training as well as a further 1500 sq metres of training space, which will include an additional hanger for refurbishment. This will enable Newcastle College to relocate all aviation training from the Ryehill Campus, creating additional space there for process industry study.
At present the Newcastle Aviation Academy is working to full capacity and students can complete their industry standard Foundation Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in the region. They can also progress to Kingston University to complete a BSc Hons Degree.
The qualification carries students from GCSE to first and national diploma through to foundation degree, developing a centre of international standing in the aviation industry.
The world leading Aviation Academy has proven to be a great success to date, with 93% of graduates finding employment in the aviation industry. Students from the academy have been awarded prestigious International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading scholarships in recognition of the programme delivered.
This is particularly important in light of current Civil Aviation Authority evidence suggesting that highly skilled, licensed engineers are on the decrease due to an ageing workforce approaching retirement and the trend of many workers going abroad.
By providing localised skills training, the Aviation Academy will play a key role in attracting base carriers - airline operators wishing to use the airport as a base - increasing the demand to provide Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities delivering a greater employment demand.
Margaret Fay, Chairman at One NorthEast, said: “One NorthEast is committed to raising skills levels in the region and this project has been a successful collaboration between education and business, providing a worldwide showcase for the standard of training we can achieve here.
“Offering aviation engineering skills will provide learners with transferable generic engineering knowledge that can be shifted to other engineering careers, which will be a tremendous skills boost for the North East.”
Newcastle International Airport’s Chief Executive Dave Laws, said: "Demand for air travel in the region continues to grow and passenger numbers at Newcastle International are predicted to significantly increase over the next decade. To keep pace with such growth, it is important that the local skills base is developed and diversified to support the continued expansion of air services.
"We are therefore delighted that the Aviation Academy has received additional funding from One NorthEast to facilitate its further expansion. The Academy is producing a world class, highly skilled workforce in the field of aviation engineering, which in turn is helping to attract airlines and other aviation engineering operators to Newcastle International. As well as direct benefits for the airport, associated employment and economic benefits will be generated throughout the North East."
Chris Roberts, Regional Director, LSC North East, said: “The aviation business is booming and here in the North East we are taking full advantage of this by ensuring that young people and adults can gain the skills and qualifications they need to enable them to get jobs in the industry. As well as providing skilled workers, the academy also acts as a magnet in attracting business to the region, boosting the region’s economy.”
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