ASP and Cranfield plan new International Aviation Academy
Above:
Plane taking off from Cranfield Airport.
Courtesy Cranfield University
The aviation and aerospace sector continues to face significant skills shortages. With the number of aircraft in service set to double by 2030 and airport expansion plans, the requirement for skilled people to support the industry is pressing and immediate. The collaboration between ASP and Cranfield will inspire people to develop their careers in the sector and connect them with job opportunities in this high-tech industry.
Building on its world-first Academy at Norwich and the already announced plans for Academies including those at RAF Syerston and RAF Cosford under the RAF100 Inspire legacy, ASP has been working with partners to ensure that the region can offer people the training they need to meet the growing demand globally for a broad range of aviation skills.
Cranfield University is exclusively postgraduate and a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. It is home to many world-class, large-scale facilities including an airport with airline status - the only University based at an airport (and an iconic location to many in the industry) with exciting growth plans already announced.
Aviation Skills Partnership (ASP) was established in 2013 to identify, create, develop and implement the skills solutions that the aviation industry needs, in partnership with training organisations, employers, educators, and potential new or existing employees. ASP is dedicated to improving career opportunities across the six areas of aviation (Pilot, Air Traffic Control, Airport Operations, Operations & Crewing, Cabin Crew and Engineering & Maintenance).
The collaboration will see joint activities throughout ASP’s Pathways into Aviation delivered via a growing partnership and will be aimed at creating a skilled and motivated workforce. The initiatives will include industry-led Pathways and Programmes delivered at the growing campus. They will also enable people to be more aware of the careers available and then develop the academic, practical/industry and soft skills required through study and training programmes. It also allows employers of all sizes and nations to develop a structured approach to their talent pipeline.
Professor Iain Gray, Director of Aerospace at Cranfield University said: "Cranfield has a long history in the development of future leaders in aerospace and aviation across the globe and has unique facilities to support research and teaching in these sectors. We are delighted to be announcing these plans with the Aviation Skills Partnership, building opportunities to foster innovation and helping to develop the next generation of leaders in the aviation sector.”
Sir Christopher Coville KCB, Chairman of the ASP Strategy Board said: “I am immensely proud that we are able to announce our plans to bring an Academy to this world-class University on a historic RAF base. As a nation, we need to respond to the massive demand for aviation specialists and we are delighted to be collaborating further with Cranfield University, enabling us to deepen our links on a wide range of programmes that will help young people achieve their dream of a career in aviation and in this excellent industry. We hope, through this collaboration, to also expand further the range of training offered via the International Aviation and Aerospace Academies that we are developing in the UK and overseas.”
