BAE Systems has opened the £15.6 million Academy for Skills & Knowledge (ASK) training academy that will train all the apprentices and graduates in the company’s military aircraft business as well as providing life-long learning and skills development activities for 13,000 employees for at least the next four decades.
The 7,400 m2 the ASK, which is situated on the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone in Lancashire. UK alongside BAE Systems’ military aircraft advanced manufacturing centre will also act as a collaborative skills-hub for the North West of England’s engineering and manufacturing sector and offer an exciting learning education centre for school children from five to 14 years old.
With 26 modern, light and airy classroom facilities, the ASK has been designed and built from scratch over three years – utilising the knowledge and experience of the company’s training staff to provide the very best modern learning environment. It mirrors the latest advanced manufacturing technologies and factory layouts used at BAE Systems including robotics, 3D printers, a virtual reality 'cave', a composites clean room, electronics and welding facilities. In early 2017, the Academy will also accommodate a Hawk jet trainer for apprentices to understand the engineering complexity and build of an aircraft at first hand.