Air and Space Institute Coming to Nottinghamshire

A £15.4 million project is underway to construct a high-tech Air and Space Institute (ASI) in the Midlands, situated at Newark College, at the site of the former cattle market in the town of Newark.

The ASI will give students from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and beyond the chance to study for careers as pilots, engineers, and in a variety of different ground-crew roles, working in the space industry both in the UK and beyond. Courses will target school leavers aged 16 and up, preparing for logistical, military, and aerospace roles.

Air and Space Institute construction

Construction will be carried out by G F Tomlinson and the three-storey building is going to be ready by the end of 2023, a year which already promises to be huge for the UK space industry. Within a hangar area, a full Airbus A318 will be in place as a teaching aid. There will also be a flight simulator along with a variety of teaching areas and lecture halls.

The project was procured through the Pagabo National Framework which handles a variety of major construction works.

The Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, Chris Flint, had spoke about the project: “We are delighted to be appointed as main contractor on the ASI which offers state-of-the-art training for students at a brand-new campus in the heart of Newark.

“We are extremely pleased to have secured this project under the Pagabo National Framework for Major Construction Works. Through our early contractor involvement and close collaboration with the Client team, we look forward to turning Lincoln College Group’s vision into a reality by providing a world-class training facility for young people throughout the region.”

Practical focus

The ASI will be part of the Lincoln College Group and the Director of the Group, Tom Marsden, also spoke about what an impact the project would have for young people in the area.

“Like the whole of the town, we’re hugely excited about the progress being made on site and we can’t wait to see the building. Young people completing their GCSEs this year can apply for our engineer, pilot, space engineering, groundcrew and military pathways now and they will benefit from these fabulous new facilities during their course, as well as the chance to fly in our ASI aircraft and flight simulators.”

The UK is currently looking to fill a variety of jobs, with a growing need for staff following the building of SaxaVord and Spaceport Cornwall. The UK has finally become a force in the space industry, and schemes like the launch of the ASI will see new opportunities to support the next generation of space industry professionals.