International Air and Space Training Institute, Newark, approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council

Students at the International Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI) are already experiencing some of the most exciting technical training and development opportunities in the UK, and this week the future dreams of Newark’s younger generation took another step forward as the planning application for the IASTI’s permanent home was approved.

Since launching in September 2021, the first intake of students at IASTI Newark have been honing their flying skills in the flight simulator ­— currently based at the interim facility at Newark College ­— and taking to the air in the IASTI’s leased aircraft from Nottingham Aerodrome in Tollerton, to put their theory into practice.

Once their training is complete, IASTI students will provide the UK with the next generation of pilots, engineers and ground crew thanks to the input and support from industry experts including the Royal Air Force, East Midlands Airport, Inzpire, AAR, Leonardo, Eagle Eye, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and the National Space Centre.

The momentum is set to grow further with building work due to start at the IASTI’s permanent home in Summer 2022.

The new state-of-the-art institute is expected to open its doors in September 2023, when there will be a focus on both further and higher education offers based on engineering linked with local universities, plus further specialism in cyber, avionics and robotics, and communications.

Director of IASTI Newark, Tom Marsden said: “We are delighted that our planning application has been approved. The whole focus of the IASTI is to provide training opportunities for local people in Newark and the surrounding area, so that they can enter the aviation and space sectors with the skills and contacts to succeed.

"We are developing a highly productive local workforce that can fulfil the demand for a wide range of careers within this industry; from engineers to air traffic controllers, airport operations staff, aircraft dispatchers and pilots. We are also developing aviation specific data analysis, leadership and management training to provide through life education and skills.

"The planning approval marks a significant steppingstone in our journey. We are excited to see the new institute take shape in line with our vision and to add recognised social and economic value to our local community by providing high quality education and training.”

Newark and Sherwood District councillors unanimously approved plan for the landmark building, with the condition that a scheme to prevent parking on the Great North Road be submitted to the authority.

Mrs Yvonne Woodhead said: "As somebody that has travelled into Newark most of my life this has got to be the biggest improvement to the gateway to Newark that we've ever, ever seen. It's fantastic and it really will put Newark on the map in a much better way than it has been before."

Mathew Skinner added: "It absolutely will raise aspirations for the townsfolk of Newark. I think it will give them an absolutely bright future."

The IASTI is one of nine priority projects developed by Newark Towns Fund Board and is funded through the Government’s Towns Fund initiative.

David Lloyd, co-chair of Newark Towns Fund Board and leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am pleased to hear that the planning application for the first IASTI in the UK has been approved. Along with eight other priority projects, the towns fund projects play a huge part in transforming Newark for our younger generations to a place where people want to live, work, study and visit. It is with much excitement and anticipation that I wait for this transformational ambition to come to life in our wonderful town and the IASTI is an integral part to our future education officer.”

The IASTI is completely transforming the way pilots, engineers and ground staff are trained. The institute has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the air and space industry while fully integrating into the post-16 education system.

The aim is to produce the next generation of skills-matched aviation professionals, providing a shop window for civil and military operators to acquire trained staff to meet their practical, skills needs across the sector.

The institute may even lead to greater things for Newark, as Laurence Goff suggested international connections could be made.

He said: "I wonder what the Florida NASA would think, because NASA is well known, [with the] renowned Kennedy Space Centre. I hope the council will contact this place (The Kennedy Space Centre) in America to let them know we want to make them welcome to our town."

Students can apply now to start courses in pilot, groundcrew and engineer pathways at the IASTI starting in the September 2022 intake.