The £500,000 centre opened last year to boost STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and showcase airport apprenticeships and careers to young people.
Since the first school visit on May 5, 2015, the learning hub has attracted over 2600 youngsters from 100 schools and colleges, including students from as far away as the Netherlands.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said: “This government is investing £61billion in transport, creating thousands of high quality jobs and opportunities across the country, and it is vital that young people develop the skills to help us build a world leading transport system.
“The Aerozone at Stansted Airport is a great example of industry taking the lead in inspiring the best and brightest young people to focus on careers in aviation and engineering, and I was delighted to have been able to see the excellent work taking place.”
During the visit the Minister was able to see the range interactive activities on offer at the centre as well meeting some of the 150 airport staff who have volunteered at the site since it opened.
Andrew Cowan, Stansted Airport’s Divisional CEO, said: “We were thrilled that Lord Ahmad was able to join us at the Aerozone and mark this very special anniversary of the first school visit. The Aerozone is our flagship community project here at Stansted and it represents a long-term commitment to our community. Engaging with young people, particularly those living in areas close to the airport, is a vital part of our community work.
“The aim of the centre is to inspire young people to consider the varied apprenticeships and career opportunities within aviation, focusing on the vital STEM subjects that generate real prospects for young people and open their eyes to the fantastic opportunities available on their doorstep.”
Image: Andrew Cowan (left), Stansted Airport’s Divisional CEO, with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has spearheaded the Government’s approach to addressing the skills challenge in the transport sector and recently launched the Strategic Transport Apprenticeships Taskforce with the ambition to create 30,000 new apprenticeships in transport by 2020. For further information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/strategic-transport-apprenticeship-taskforce-to-boost-apprenticeships
Aerozone Stansted is an aviation-themed education facility, focussing on core STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) along with the history of the airport and the range of careers available within the aviation sector.
The centre welcomes schools and colleges with pupils aged 4 - 18+. The Aerozone is a flexible facility full of interactive activities, informative videos and resource packs across a range of key stages available for teachers to use whilst on site. Pupils can also speak to colleagues from across the airport site about their career, or watch the airport in action from its very own bespoke viewing platform.
The facility is free for use by schools and colleges and is based at the heart of the airport.
Businesses and organisations supporting the project are: Boeing, The Royal Aeronautical Society, Galliford Try, Essex Police, Essex County Council, British Airways, Harrods Aviation, Ryanair, easyJet, Titan Airways, Marriot Civils, AV8 Consulting, NATS, Youth Education Support, Inflite and Safran.
The centre picked up its first award in October 2015 by winning the 'New Innovation in Employability' category at the Epping Forest Investors in Young People Business Awards.
For more information about the Aerozone, or to download a booking form, visit www.stanstedairport.com/aerozone
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For further information contact Stansted Airport press office:
T: +44 (0)1279 680534
E: [email protected]
W: stanstedairport.com
twitter: @STN_Airport
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