News / UK’s premier aviation academy is...
UK’s premier aviation academy is launched
Directions, the name behind the UK’s premier aviation academy, has double reason to celebrate as the doors to the academy are officially opened in partnership with a global aviation leader which is spearheading the industry support.
The innovative £10m aviation academy has been developed by Directions, which is based at the UK’s newest international airport – Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield – with funding from Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency – and the European Union.
September 5 sees the academy being officially launched by Caroline Flint MP, the Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber.
And Directions is delighted to announce that Marshall Aerospace, one of the most respected and renowned leaders in its field, has come on board and will start engineering training later in the year and establish a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility aimed at business jets with fully qualified engineers on site.
The Directions Finningley National Aviation Academy has been developed as a bespoke response to a growing global industry need for world class training, facilities and associated support. There is a shortage of highly qualified aviation engineers which the academy will address.
Cambridge-based Marshall Aerospace is extending its excellence for the first time outside of its impressive base to Yorkshire. The Directions Academy will be used to train students in the latest aviation qualifications in the fields of aircraft MRO using cutting-edge technology, primarily for business jet aviation.
The partnership will work by creating a seamless link between education, workshop experience, examination and operational experience by integrating the MRO work space within the same 55,000 sq ft hangar floor. The academy occupies new two storey, purpose built accommodation added to the hangar and uses the very latest high technology training media and live aircraft to educate students. It offers the unique opportunity for students to gain hands on experience and equip the industry with competent engineers and for the first time deliver to the industry precisely the engineers required.
The academy can deliver 150 aviation related courses already and the partnership with Marshall Aerospace will mean further courses, especially the ability to deliver licensed engineering certification. Already known for its industry leading apprenticeships and adult training programmes, Marshall Aerospace will be instrumental in the future of the academy to ensure it builds all the necessary courses and curriculum to enable not only Marshall to maintain its growth in Doncaster but to further support the delivery of qualified and experienced engineers to an international market.
“The launch of our academy is a major milestone and one that underlines how far the academy has developed in recent months,” said Richard Smith, Directions’ Managing Director, who has been at the helm since the organisation was created just over 18 months ago.
“The partnership with Marshall Aerospace signals to the industry and the wider training sector how significant our facilities are in driving forward training excellence in aviation skills provision,” he added.
The dynamic launch will be an event not to be missed as following the formal launch ceremony there will be an impressive aerobatic display together with a static display of aircraft.
