Jane Edwards
BAE Systems has launched a new facility in Lancashire, England, that seeks to provide aerospace training and skills development support to the company’s employees and apprentices.
The company’s Academy for Skills & Knowledge will also provide training support to the north west England’s engineering and manufacturing industry and serve as an education facility for school children, BAE said Thursday.
The $19.6 million academy has welding and electronics facilities, 3D printers and robotics and will add a BAE-built Hawk trainer aircraft in early 2017 for use by apprentices.
Chris Boardman, managing director of military air and information at BAE, said the ASK facility seeks to reflect the company’s efforts to invest in skills development for the U.K. aerospace sector and provide an engineering and manufacturing environment for apprentices.
BAE noted that 182 of the 667 participants recruited this year for the company’s apprentice training program are now part of the firm’s military aircraft business.
