KLMUKE is the leading MRO in the UK and is trying to play an integral part in the development of the next generation of aircraft engineers by leading the way with the building of the new International Aviation Academy -Norwich (IAAN) and by providing on line basic EASA B1 and B2 training to allow those who are not in a position to study full time, to study for their licence and to gain employment in the aviation field at a later date…
It is widely understood that the MRO industry faces a huge shortfall of aircraft engineers in the next 5 – 10 years, with the Royal Aeronautical Society putting the figure as high as 140,000 additional engineers in Europe alone, with Asia needing to meet the demands 224,000 engineers by 2033 just for the new Boeing aircrafts, as well as other specialised aviation professionals, needed over the next 10 years.
With Asia leading the way in aviation growth, the shortfall will only continue to grow if no action is taken now. China is looking to build over 100 new airports in the next 15 years. This will lead to further pressure for new engineers to support the inventible increase in aircrafts flying in and out of China – for example Qatar airlines recently ordered 100 new aircraft. Recognition of this is being realised by the industry, with new approaches being developed to solve these supply side problems.
The new partnership between KLMUKE, City College Norwich and University of East Anglia will deliver this approach within a new state of the art aviation training facility the International Aviation Academy – Norwich.
The academy will commence with aircraft engineering & maintenance courses, but eventually will offer other courses for other aviation services such as cabin crew, flight operations, airport operations, air traffic control & pilot training and is due to open its doors in April 2017. It will have a capacity to train up to 100 students per year, with 300-400 engineering students being in the academy at any point in time.
The academy will provide a ‘real world’ learning environment that includes a fully serviceable current narrow body airliner and using innovative teaching techniques. The goal is to raise the standards of learning within the aviation industry, while offering a broad education that will attract both local and international students. This facility is ground breaking and the first of its kind in the world.
The IAAN will allow training to be accessed through multiple pathways, allowing individuals to select the right route for them. KLMUKE, a long side its partner’s, will offer apprenticeship programmes, foundation courses and degree programmes, as well as EASA Cat A / B1.1 & B2 licenses.
Virtual Learning will also be on offer which will allow study anywhere, anytime for individuals, this is KLMUKES newest training product. From KLMUKE’s perspective this will not only help to raise the skills and knowledge within the organisation but is also an investment with a positive impact on retention rates in a competitive market.
For more information please visitwww.klmukengineering.comand visit our training section.