Aviation academy gets boost
Plans for a Perth College-led aviation project have been accelerated after the Scottish Government announced their £150m commitment to the Tay Cities Region Deal.
The introduction of the Aviation Academy for Scotland (AAS) will offer 540 training places over its first four years of operation.
The academy will integrate regional, national and international education and training to provide a skilled workforce which can “respond to the global growth of aviation”.
Its Perth-based campus will focus on engineering, air traffic and aviation management skills and will co-locate with the ‘Product Innovation Lab’, part of the Tay Cities Engineering Partnership, which is also part of the Tay Cities Region Deal.
The Innovation Lab will provide product development, design and business mentoring and start-up advice to engineering innovations across the region.
Meanwhile, the Dundee campus of the AAS will focus on pilot and air traffic management training through Tayside Aviation.
Perth College UHI principal Dr Margaret Cook is excited about what the future holds.
She said: “Perth College UHI are pleased to lead the Aviation Academy for Scotland project in partnership with Tayside Aviation and Air Service Training Ltd (AST).
“The Tay Cities Deal funding will enable AAS to invest in the infrastructure to integrate local, regional and national aviation education and training to develop a skilled workforce of aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers and new pilots to address the global economic recovery of the aviation, renewable and clean energy markets.
“This will offer a seamless educational route from secondary school through college, university and into the industry.”
Mark Taylor, general manager of Air Service Training (AST) explained: “This investment will provide the high-quality facilities and training aids necessary to take each of the partners to the next level of their development plans.
“Tayside Aviation, Perth College UHI and AST are already significant players in aviation-related training to both domestic and international students, and are now able to build on that experience.”
Jennifer Brickwood, project lead for the AAS, concluded: “The signing of the Tay Cities Deal is a significant step forward for the Tay Cities Region.
“The AAS has been in development by the partners for four years and the Scottish Government’s investment will allow the project to progress.
“With an already global footprint, the AAS has great ambitions to increase this reach both at home and overseas.
“The AAS will work hand-in-hand with industry to ensure the provision of the skills required will strongly support the recovery and future developments of the aviation industry.”