Air and Space Institute opens its doors to students

Ellie Ford is hoping her course at the institute will lead to a career in the RAF

A new Air and Space Institute (ASI) has officially opened in Nottinghamshire with a promise of helping more young people break into the industry.

Students will get the chance to train on state-of-the-art simulations, virtual reality and actual aircraft.

The £15.4m facility on Great North Road in Newark is already attracting students from across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, the institute said.

At the official opening on Friday, East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said it would broaden access to an industry traditionally seen as "elite".

Ellie Ford, who is in her second year studying aviation, operations, military defence, is hoping to join the RAF.

“It’s difficult to get into the career in aviation in this region. There’s no opportunity quite like [the ASI]," she said.

“With the planes, sims and VR, there’s so much experience I wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

The £15.4m facility was funded by the government as part of the levelling up agenda

The ASI can lead to students becoming pilots, aircraft technicians or ground-crew, as well as working with space and satellite technology.

Its centrepiece is an Airbus passenger jet, used as a flight simulator.

About 200 full-time students are now enrolled at the institute but that figure is expected to double over the next three years.

The institute was partly funded by the Towns Fund, part of the previous government's levelling up initiative.

Mark Locking, principal and chief executive of the Lincoln College Group, which is behind the institute, said: “We started on this pathway around seven years ago, and have broadened from an aerial defence college into aviation and space.

“It will be a beacon for Newark schools. Many young people have been leaving Newark to get their education – this will reverse that trend and raise aspirations locally.”