New Government funding allows major expansion of training facility at London Southend airport

The grant totalling nearly £560,000 allows the organisation to dramatically expand its apprenticeship programme from 40 to 120 new graduates.

The HCA funding will be provided via Regeneration Company Renaissance Southend and building work will start with immediate effect to treble the amount of workshop and classroom space currently available at the existing site.

The move comes as a massive boost for the new Academy which was officially opened just two weeks ago by MP James Duddridge. The facility is located within the ATC Lasham Hangar and will now be expanded to include a second technical training workshop along with new lecture rooms and funding to buy the latest in aviation training technology.

The Aeronautical Engineering Academy is a partnership with local and regional employers who provide employment for the apprentices and support the training delivered in the centre. Aircraft Maintenance and Repair is a major source of employment at both Southend and Stanstead Airports and this new facility will increase the number of fully qualified Maintenance Engineers.

A delighted Neil Bates, Chief Executive of Prospects, commented: 'We have never lost sight of the fact that our long term ambition is to establish a full aviation training centre at the airport offering a wide range of airport related skills courses and matching the expansion of the airport. This money allows us to take a vital next step. We have been asking for additional funding to allow us to achieve our objective and this is the best possible news.'

There are currently 40 apprentices under training at Prospects and including two young women who started training this September. Gradually the numbers will rise to 120 who will undertake the four year programme.

Mike Lambert. Chief Executive of Renaissance Southend commented: 'As a Southend-on-Sea’s urban regeneration company we are committed to helping create new jobs for local people. This funding allows us to assist in providing real jobs with real training and qualifications for local people.

'Their skills will be essential as London Southend Airport’s Engineering Park continues to grow its maintenance offer and if the Government gives the go ahead for airport expansion we shall need plenty more like them. This expanded facility will help meet that need.'

Rochford District Council’s Portfolio holder Cllr Keith Gordon said 'This is extremely good news, particularly at a time when the local area is suffering from job losses elsewhere, as indicated by the recent announcements by HSBC and Eon. All we need now is a positive decision from Government in respect of the airports runway extension to give the local economy a further boost.'

As a result of the funding, Prospects will now be applying to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to be one of just eight centres in the country able to provide A and B accreditations to newly trained mechanical engineers.

Such accreditations ensure that newly qualified apprentices are able to undertake a wide range of advanced maintenance tasks and achieve international recognition for the skills they offer.