KLM UK Engineering has partnered with the Wensum Trust
KLM UK Engineering has teamed up with the Wensum Trust to inspire the next generation of aviation engineers.
The Trust, which has 11 schools in Norfolk, is launching a new partnership with KLM UK Engineering to break down the barriers that prevent the younger generation from pursuing a career in aviation.
Informing and engaging pupils from a young age is key and by providing young people with knowledge and skills around engineering, the partnership aims to improve accessibility to an industry which is facing a £1.5 billion skills shortage in the UK. Students can also pursue a direct career path into aviation with KLM UK Engineering’s apprenticeship scheme.
As part of the partnership, KLM UK Engineering apprentices and engineers will go into schools to talk about aviation engineering. Children will also visit the International Aviation Academy Norwich, which hosts a live Boeing 737 aircraft, to learn more about aircraft and engineering, and to become immersed in a professional hangar environment, which will support their learning in the classroom.
The launch of the partnership took place at the International Aviation Academy in Norwich on Friday 8th December. It was attended by representatives from the Wensum Trust, KLM UK Engineering, Chloe Smith MP, and children from Hellesdon High School, Firside Junior School and Heather Avenue Infant School.
John Smith, Chair of Trustees for the Wensum Trust, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to develop this partnership with KLM UK Engineering. We are extremely lucky to have such a world renowned aircraft maintenance and repair organisation on our doorstep, which will inspire young people and encourage them to consider the many different opportunities available to them in their future. This is the latest in a number of unique partnerships we have already established, which are incredibly important in helping young people better understand the value of education.”
David Holmes, Maintenance and Training Director at KLM UK Engineering, said: “This partnership will help us to build on our commitment to training the next generation of aircraft engineers. I’m excited by how we can support the great work that the Wensum Trust already does to champion each student’s skills and interests, and together we can support young people wishing to pursue careers in aviation maintenance.”
As part of the partnership launch, KLM UK Engineering are sponsoring a group of children from Hellesdon High School who are planning to travel to Ecuador next summer. 15 children from Years 10, 11 and 12 will take part in the four-week trip during which they will help local people with community projects, such as building schools and toilets, planting trees in the Amazon Forest, and taking part in the three peak challenge. It will also allow students to develop key life skills, as well as providing a culturally enriching experience.
KLM UK Engineering are donating £5000 towards the trip, which Hellesdon High Principal, Tom Rolfe, says will make a big difference. “We are very grateful to the team at KLM UK Engineering for this generation donation. Each student needs to raise £4,100 to take part in the trip and this sponsorship will significantly help towards each student’s fundraising efforts.”
New Managing Director Annoucement
Wayne Easlea Appointed Managing Director, KLM UK Engineering:
We are delighted to announce that Wayne Easlea has been appointed as our new Managing Director.
Wayne began his career with KLM UK Engineering in 1990 as an aircraft maintenance apprentice and subsequently progressed into technical roles in Base and Line Maintenance. Wayne joined the KLM UK Engineering management team in 2003, holding several operational management positions prior to being appointed as Operations Director and a memebr of KLM UK Engineering board in 2015. More recently, Wayne held the position as Finance Director.
KLM UK Technical College Gains Embraer E2 Approval
Following the granting of approval by EASA and the UKCAA, we are delighted to add the Embraer E2 to our portfolio of type courses. We wil be running regular B1/B2 combined courses throughout the year.
Please contact john.manson@klmuk.com for further details.
Hangar Update
KLM UK Engineering Hangar building work finishes.
After starting work in late 2019, the building work on our new hangar and workshops has been completed.
Norwich Airport and KLM UK Engineering agree £7m hangar deal
Norwich Airport and KLM UK Engineering agree £7m hangar deal
Norwich Airport and KLM UK Engineering have agreed a deal where Norwich Airport will invest £7 million in a new hangar and workshop facilities for KLM UK Engineering at the airport to meet increased industry demand for aircraft maintenance.
The project will be managed by Rigby Real Estate (RRE), the property division of airport owners, Rigby Group. It will see the construction of a 54,000 sq ft hangar and 15,500 sq ft workshop that will be completed by August 2020.
The deal provides KLM UK Engineering with significant additional new capacity providing high quality aircraft maintenance and repair services to customers worldwide. KLM UK Engineering employs 390 staff at Norwich and also delivers aircraft engineering apprenticeships and training through its technical training college located in the neighbouring International Aviation Academy Norwich.
Norwich Airport managing director Richard Pace said: “KLM UK Engineering is a major employer in Norwich with hundreds of skilled staff. This deal underlines its long-term commitment to the region and is another significant milestone in the airport’s strategy of creating a global aviation centre of excellence.”
Peter van der Horst, managing director at KLM UK Engineering, said: “We are delighted to have agreed this expansion project with Norwich Airport. This will enable us to provide a more efficient service to our customers, allow us to maintain the larger next generation aircraft and provide extra capacity with a sixth bay. Our team in Norwich are excited with this development and look forward to revealing the new hangar in 2020.”
KLM UK Engineering is headquartered at Norwich where it has operated for more than 40 years. It currently has five fully equipped heavy maintenance bays across three hangars at the airport and has extensive experience on many aircraft types including Embraer170/190, Boeing 737 (all series), Airbus A320 family, BAe 146 and Avro RJ, and Fokker 70/100 types.
The build of a new hangar for KLM UK Engineering at the airport gives Satys Air Livery UK Ltd the opportunity to take on the hangar vacated by KLM UK Engineering. This will consolidate Norwich as the head office of Aftermarket and VIP Painting Division of the Satys Group and the largest place in Europe for repainting narrow body aircrafts (4 hangars).
Thierry Melet, managing director of Satys Air Livery UK Ltd, said: “We are looking forward to consolidating our position in Norwich. The additional hangar will provide both additional capacity for growth and potential synergies to satisfy our current customers in a very competitive market.”