Airbus and Weston College Group have signed a formal lease agreement for a new Aerospace Skills Academy at Airbus’ Filton site, marking a significant step in strengthening the UK’s aerospace and advanced engineering skills base.
The agreement will see Weston College Group redevelop an existing building at the Filton campus into a dedicated training facility focused on advanced manufacturing and engineering. The Aerospace Skills Academy is scheduled to open in September 2026, in time for the start of the academic year.
The new Academy forms part of wider efforts to support the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Defence Industrial Strategy, both of which highlight skills development as critical to maintaining global competitiveness in aerospace and high-value engineering. The South West of England hosts a £2.7 billion aerospace cluster, making Filton a strategic location for investment in workforce capability and innovation.
Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said the agreement represented a “transformational step” in delivering higher technical education aligned with national and regional economic priorities.
Simon Galpin, Head of the Airbus Filton site, described the Academy as a major investment in the future of UK aerospace and advanced engineering, adding that collaboration with Weston College Group would help create a long-term pipeline of skilled talent to support national capability and regional growth.
Once operational, the Aerospace Skills Academy will act as a flagship centre for technical education and workforce development, tailored specifically to the needs of aerospace, defence and advanced engineering employers. Training provision will be closely aligned with industry demand to help strengthen the skills pipeline and improve economic resilience.
The curriculum will be employer-led and co-designed with Airbus alongside a network of strategic partners, including Babcock International Group, GKN Aerospace, MBDA, NCC, Rolls-Royce and regional small and medium-sized enterprises. This approach is intended to ensure learners develop both the technical skills and workplace behaviours required for high-value engineering roles.
The Academy will also focus on widening access and providing clear progression pathways, enabling learners to move from Level 3 apprenticeships through to higher and degree-level qualifications. Refurbished workshops and teaching spaces will feature upgraded digital infrastructure and sustainability-focused systems, designed to replicate real industrial environments and provide hands-on experience aligned with current aerospace and defence sector requirements.