Region's Aviation Academy a step closer

Citation

(2006), "Region's Aviation Academy a step closer", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778dab.030

Region's Aviation Academy a step closer

Region's Aviation Academy a step closer

Keywords: Aviation industry, Training

Yorkshire Forward is investing £6.55 million in an Airport and Aviation Employment and Training Academy at Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield International Airport. The academy will be the first of its kind in Britain to offer such a wide range of training and employer support in a working airport environment.

The academy, sited in a 55,000sqft hangar close to both the runway and the terminal building, will house specialised engineering and aviation equipment which will include working aircraft. This facility will enable students to undertake training using the most up to date equipment, in skills ranging from cabin crew training through to aircraft maintenance. It will also house lecture rooms and a variety of discrete technical training areas.

This new development will build on the already well established and successful Directions Finningley operation and will be managed by a Community Interest Company which has been set up by Yorkshire Forward in partnership with Doncaster College and North Nottinghamshire College.

The new facility will be ready for use in the autumn, when training courses in engineering, aviation maintenance, and cabin crew training will start.

Don Stewart, executive director for Strategy for Yorkshire Forward, and the Chairman of Directions Finningley said: “Directions Finningley was designed to help local people into aviation jobs. It has already proved to be an outstanding success and the next phase in developing the training facility will bring further opportunities for local people. I am delighted that Yorkshire Forward is a founding member of the new company. Community interest companies are a new type of company developed by the government and it is an excellent vehicle through which we can help to meet the needs of the local community.”

Philip Fone, Principal of North Nottingham College said: “The project is ideally placed to serve the training needs of the airport and aviation sectors along the A1 M1 corridor, and we already have had firm support from many of the key players in both sectors.”

Bill Webster, Vice Principal at Doncaster College added “The formation of Directions Finningley as a Community Interest Company is the culmination of excellent partnership working over the last 3 years and is testament to the efforts of many public and private sector organisations who have allowed us to develop the vision of the new facility which will bring major benefits to employers and individuals alike.”