Creation of Newark's International Air & Space Training Institute (IASTI) is 40-year industry ambition of one of its architects Simon Witts, of Aviation 360

The creation of Newark's International Air & Space Training Institute (IASTI) will represent the fulfilment of a 40-year industry ambition held by one of its architects, Simon Witts, of Aviation 360.

Mr Witts, chief executive the company that helped shape the plans, said he had a vision throughout his career of a national system of training to provide future generations of job-ready people fit for all aspects of the aviation industry.

“Internationally, people have made the assumption that we are pitching Newark, New Jersey. Our response to that is ‘no, we mean the real Newark, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire ­— the first Newark,” said Mr Witts.

He said the opportunity provided by the Towns Fund was to have a facility away from a windy aerodrome or behind the fences of an airport, that would be high impact and meaningful, offering chances and aspirations where previously they hadn’t existed.

And location was key.

Mr Witts said during the course of his investigations he had assessed infrastructure around the country and was drawn to the East Midlands.

“As well as being the geographical centre of the country, the Newark area has a rich aviation history,” said Mr Witts.

“It’s a rich history that we are keen to promote and will be doing so over the next few weeks — whether that be the history of the airfields or the ball-bearing factories that were so significant in the manufacture of aircraft.”

It was a chance meeting with Lincoln College Group’s chief executive Gary Headland a year ago­ that a shared dream began to become a reality.

They met with the Newark bid’s co-chairman Tom Cartledge and Newark and Sherwood District Council and the idea really began to take-off.

“At the heart of our shared vision is to engage the next generation of young people trained and ready for rewarding and exciting careers in the aviation industry and the generations thereafter,” said Mr Witts.

“We are driven by inspiration and ambition. A coalition of the willing if I can put it that way.”

Mr Witts said when built, the new IASTI building would have the tail section of an aeroplane in its foyer for the wow factor.

And, in the middle of town, it would be accessible to all so on a Saturday morning people could visit and inquire about careers and hear of the most current aviation initiatives.

He said the town would be on the aviation map and its economy further bolstered by students studying for IASTI degrees living and spending in the town.

He added it would open doors to people who might right now see the industry as closed to them, but as they moved up from primary school to secondary school, college, university or post-grad — the opportunity was on Newarkers’ doorsteps just as it was a flight path for students from anywhere looking to the industry for a future.

“We will be engaging with the next generation of aerospace professionals, whether they be pilots, technicians or groundcrew,” he said.

“This is a chance for the young people of Newark to grow outwards from the town by providing opportunities that might have seemed alien to them.

“While we are not able yet to name names of our prospective partners other than the RAF, they will be some of the national and global leaders in every field connected to aviation, be it airlines, business jets, cargo, manufacturers. Big hitters in all fields.

“Whether our students come to wear the uniform of the RAF or a civilian organisation, they will be fully-equipped for their futures.

“This college will also be sustainable, others IASTIs will follow, but Newark will always be the first.

“They will provide very high standards of teaching and help stem a global personnel shortage with the first candidates graduating in 2023 ­— a time when we predict that shortage will be worse than pre-covid.

“The timing of this will lead in the industry bounce back.”

The project also directly addresses sustainability and carbon emissions factors by building educational pathways that prepare people for the needs of this sector and will encourage operational design and planning to meet ever more stringent environmental targets.