Plans for a pioneering £12 million Aerospace and Technology College at Biggin Hill Airport (www.bigginhillairport.com) are set to become reality, with the Greater London Authority (GLA) providing major funding for the project.

The new college will help to address the shortage of aerospace engineers and the wider skills needs of the aviation industry by training the next generation of mechanical, electronic and service engineers, as well as technicians and ground-crew personnel.

Airport chairman (and owner) Andrew Walters said: “We’ve been working closely with the Greater London Authority, the London Borough of Bromley and London South East Colleges to create a ‘state of the art’ facility that will give students a unique insight into their future careers by training on-site at the airport.

"As the fastest-growing business aviation airport in Europe, our focus is on inspiring and training the aerospace industry professionals of tomorrow. We’re delighted that — with this investment — our vision can now take flight.”