Plans for an aviation academy in Norwich look set to take off after the growth deal has secured £3m towards the £12.5m project at Norwich International Airport.
Employers, education leaders and the councils have joined forces with the airport to boost the region's aviation skills.
• Host of exciting new schemes unveiled for Norwich
The project will be the first of its kind in the UK and support 80 engineering apprenticeships per year, as well as degree-level and further and higher education courses in engineering, airport operations and cabin-crew training, for hundreds of students.
The money will pay for the centre at the airport.
Andrew Bell, chief executive of the airport, said the academy would helps to satify the demand for diverse skills at the growing airport and sent a clear message that Norwich was intent on becoming a centre of excellence for aviation.
'There is a well-documented global skills deficit across a range of aviation activities which the academy will help to address. This facility will enable local students to go global in their career ambitions, and will attract students into the region from the UK market and overseas,' he added.
Arjan Meijer, managing director of aviation giant KLM, said the plans would significantly increase the availability of local technically-trained staff.
'To interest future generations early-on for jobs in aviation is crucial, not only for sustaining our current aircraft maintenance business, but also to allow for further growth of our industry worldwide. The NIAA will position Norwich firmly on the international aviation industry map.'
The remainder of the £12.5m investment is expected to come from loan funding and the private sector, who will provide the 'real world' training experience with a full size aircraft, plus additional equipment and aviation facilities.
The academy plans to open its doors in September 2016 although a 'feeder' programme with City College Norwich started last September.
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