Norwich International Airport and its largest tenant operator KLM UK Engineering to develop an aviation academy based at the airport to provide a good supply of skilled workers in the future. KLMUKE’s future expansion in Norwich is partly dependent on the availability of skilled workers. It currently employ over 375 staff with 200 skilled engineers at the airport and up to 40 apprentices in training at any given time.
A further catalyst is the airport’s Aeropark project - which recently received planning permission - on the north side of the airfield involving a 160,000 sqft hangar and head office development for Air Livery, an aircraft painting firm. This could create 1,400 jobs and generate over £50m of benefit locally and will require a skilled workforce which the new academy can help provide. Other founding partners include the University of East Anglia, the TEN Group, New Anglia LEP, EAGIT training, Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council….Read more
Through creating a ‘real world’ learning environment that includes a full size aeroplane and using innovative teaching techniques, the academy aims to raise the standards of learning within the aviation industry and attract local and international students. The 2013 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook, projects a requirement for 556,000 new maintenance technicians to maintain the new airplanes entering the world fleet over the next 20 years.
Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International Airport, said, “One of the Airport’s core strategic objectives is to become a thriving centre of excellence in the aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul business. This objective is core to the Airport’s long term sustainability for the benefit of the region, at a time when many regional airports across Europe are struggling and some are closing their doors for good. To achieve this objective the Airport must be able to offer the complete package to attract new business. That means flexible flight operations, which are available now. It means bespoke, affordable facilities, which the new Aeropark development can provide. Lastly, and crucially, it means the settled, skilled workforce that any business looking to relocate or grow will require. The Aviation Academy will demonstrate to new business that these skills can be delivered efficiently, cost effectively and locally. At the same time the Academy will help businesses like KLM UK Engineering who are already at the Airport to realise their potential”.
Paul Chun, MD of KLM UK Engineering, comments, “To flourish our business we are highly relaying on the support of the local community. Therefore we are keen to interest people in the community for a career in general engineering and also specifically in aviation. We would particularly like to encourage young girls and boys to consider our apprenticeships or aviation graduate programs as a start for an inspiring career. However, to meet the learning requirements of a new generation means a fundamental change in how education and training is approached in aviation. An inspiring ited about the Norwich International Aviation Academy, it will position Norwich firmly on the Aviation Industry map. To interest future generations for jobs in Aviation is crucial for a sustainable growth for our industry”.
Chloe Smith MP adds, “This is a good move and very important for Norwich. As founder of Norwich For Jobs, the local campaign to get young people into work, which is backed by KLM UK Engineering and fifty other firms so far, I strongly support the proposals for an Aeropark which could create thousands of jobs in the local economy. To do that, we need more skilled engineers and the Aviation Academy will show we can do this in Norwich.”
