WMCU member the University of Wolverhampton has successfully secured almost €390,000 funding for a collaboration project to support the training needs of the growing aerospace sector.
AEERO (Aerospace Engineering ECVET Resources Online), a multi-partner EU funded Erasmus+ project, will see the University’s Faculty of Arts working with local company, In-Comm Training, local manufacturing businesses and partner organisations based in Portugal and Italy to create a suite of online training resources.
The three year project will provide bespoke training skills to meet future demand for what is expected to be unparalleled growth in the aerospace sector, increasing opportunities for career development.
Gareth Jones, Managing Director at In-Comm Training, said: “There has been a 30% productivity growth in the aerospace sector in the last five years but there is a lack of vocational training on offer to ensure that skills are relevant and up to date.
“The creation of a suite of online training resources, which will benefit from input from industry leaders, will support the vocational skills required by engineers across the EU aerospace industry, from supply chain through to preventative and breakdown maintenance.”
Sam Hope, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “The Midlands region is home to a quarter of the UK supply chain for the aerospace industry and represents 7% of the European sector and 3% globally. With over 45,000 employees the region supplies to the likes of Boeing, Airbus, BAE Systems and other global aircraft makers.
“We will be working closely with partners to develop a shared, digital learning platform which is designed to meet user needs and will be made up of easily accessible, media-rich learning materials and resources, delivered in a creative and engaging way.
“The learning resource will be available in English, Italian and Portuguese – three key languages in the global aerospace industry.”
The project partners will analyse the training requirements of employers and employees and there will be ongoing engagement with key aerospace industry stakeholders across Europe, particularly in the three partner countries.
Other partners include Bellyfeel Media, based in Manchester, ForSRL and Alba Soceita Cooperativa Sociale based in Italy and Inovamais and Filmesdamente production studio based in Portugal.