Biggin Hill’s Aerospace & Technology College secures GLA funding

Pictured (left to right): Andrew Walters, Chairman of London Biggin Hill Airport; and Sam Parrett OBE, Principal and CEO of London South East Colleges

The UK’s Biggin Hill Airport has received major funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) for its £12m Aerospace & Technology College, which will be run in partnership with London South East colleges.

The new college has been created to help address a shortage of aerospace engineers and is aiming to welcome its first cohort of students in 2019. There will initially be around 250 places available, with the potential for expansion to cater to over 750 by the 2021/22 academic year.

As well as training the next generation of mechanical, electronic and service engineers, the college will provide training for technicians and ground crew professionals.

Andrew Walters, London Biggin Hill Airport’s Chairman, commented, “We’ve been working closely with the Greater London Authority, the London Borough of Bromley, and London South East Colleges to create a state-of-the-art facility that will give students unique insight into their future careers by training on site at the airport. Following a promise made three years ago and the introduction of our extended opening hours, I am delighted to see this project come to fruition.

“As the fastest growing business aviation airport in the Europe, our focus is on inspiring and training the aerospace industry professionals of tomorrow and we’re delighted that with this investment, our vision can now take flight,” Walters concluded.