THE vacant former Flybe Training Academy at Exeter Airport has been bought by Devon County Council.
The deal, confirmed this morning (Thursday), will see Exeter College on behalf of the council run a new academy to offer training for high-tech jobs in engineering, digital, construction and clean growth
Devon County Council is investing almost £4 million into the project and the decision to go ahead with the investment was made at last Wednesday’s cabinet meeting in a private session following the exclusion of the press and public.
The Academy has been vacant since Flybe went into administration at the start of March.
Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council said: ‘We must all continue to be extremely vigilant and maintain the restrictions which have seen our region emerge as the area which has been least affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
‘But as lockdown is gradually eased, we must plan for the future and do all we can to protect and improve our economy.
‘Creating and retaining a highly skilled workforce underpins the economic prosperity of Devon and will be a key part of our economic recovery plan after COVD-19.’
The new academy for future skills will be created to offer training for high-tech jobs in engineering, digital, construction and clean growth. It will offer inspirational opportunities for the region’s young people, while also offering adults the chance to upskill or retrain into a chosen career.’
The news has been welcomed by the leader of opposition groups on Devon County Council, with Cllr Rob Hannaford, leader of the Labour group, saying: ‘I am 100 per cent behind this. The loss of this skills and training hub now would have been devastating.
‘We want our young people to have high-skilled, well-paid jobs and be the bedrock of our economy.’
Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Alan Connett added: ‘This is a unique opportunity to acquire the former Flybe Academy and I support the county council’s plan to purchase it and enable Exeter College to expand its range of courses at the facility.’