LEGI Aviation Academy

Blackpool and The Fylde College's Aviation Academy opened its doors in October 07 and is now eagerly awaiting a section of a Boeing 747, which will be housed at Blackpool Airport, as part of its Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) funded programme. The 40 foot fuselage is due to be delivered in March and will complement the Piper 130 Cherokee already in situ in an Aviation workshop at the college.

The Schools of Engineering & Computing and the School of Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality were awarded just under £400,000 of LEGI money with a brief to qualify 200-250 people for work in the aircraft industry over three years.

The first cohorts started at College in October 2007 and are gaining Level 2 and 3 NVQ’s in Ground Crew training and Aeronautical Engineering (both within the School of Engineering and Computing) and Cabin Crew training (within the School of Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality). All three cohorts will be using the Boeing 747 for their training whilst the Aeronautical Engineering students are also working on the Piper 130 Cherokee.

The LEGI website states that : "Blackpool and The Fylde College is pioneering the development of demand-led training facilities to cater to the demand for skilled construction workers, and various airport-related occupations linked to the growth of Blackpool International Airport."

Curriculum Manager within the School of Engineering, Simon Hughes, said: "The statement on the LEGI website is certainly true not only of how we are using the LEGI funding but also of the college as a whole”.

"As well as the Aviation Academy within the School of Engineering we are also very proud of our Automotive Academy, in which we have a prestigious contract with Ford Motor Company and which is achieving much success with the college's Formula Renault race car”. We are very proud to be involved with the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative and, after all the hard work has been done, look forward to hitting our target and seeing the aviation industry in Blackpool soar'."

LEGI Blackpool Build-Up Project

This project funded by the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative is a partnership between Blackpool Borough Council and the College. The aim of the project is to create a training centre in the heart of a deprived area of Blackpool. The centre will offer training and development to the unemployed and those individuals claiming benefits. The ultimate aim is to train the workless and help raise their confidence and self esteem and then assist them into jobs or self employment within the construction industry.

The project will deliver training in:-

• Health and Safety (CSCS card)
• Emergency First Aid
• Plant Operators card

And then hand skills in :-

• Brickwork
• General Operative
• Wall and Floor Tiling
• Kitchen Fitting
• Plastering
• Construction Plant
• Highway Maintenance

The programme will aim to train 125 people each year and will offer a maximum of 13 weeks training followed by 3 weeks in full time work experience and then help into employment or self employment.

The LEGI website states that :

"Blackpool and The Fylde College is pioneering the development of demand-led training facilities to cater to the demand for skilled construction workers, and various airport-related occupations linked to the growth of Blackpool International Airport."

If you require any more information on this project please contact:-

John Wilcock
T: 01253 504120
Email:
Blackpool & the Fylde College
Ashfield Road
Bispham
Blackpool
FY2 0HB

LEGI HERO

HERO ( Holistic Enterprise Realising Opportunities), an education enterprise project funded by the Government via the LEGI initiative. The aim of the project is to stimulate an enterprise culture amongst the learners of Blackpool and The Fylde College. Funds have been allocated to the HERO managers to assist in this endeavour. These funds can be applied for across College with the criteria for allocation of funds based on developing enterprise capabilities as identified by the project.

A Recent Music Event

The three main strands of HERO are:

• Develop financial literacy
• Develop business and economic understanding
• Increase enterprise capability

How does HERO work for the College ?

• Enterprise facilitators
• Sourcing and providing enterprise related resources
• Supporting through CPD and advice
• Enabling you to measure enterprise activity and success
• Enabling the development of innovation

For more information on this project contact:

Debbie Hobday
Tel: 01253 504127
email:
Blackpool and The Fylde College
Ashfield Road
Bispham
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY2 0HB