Ledley King helps kids choose an aviation career

Ledley King was at Stansted Airport last week to help youngsters consider a career in aviation!



King went to the Essex airport on Wednesday June 10 to officially open the new £500,000 learning hub at Aerozone Stansted. He was representing the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, cutting the ribbon for the assembled guest who included pupils from Summercroft School, in Bishop's Stortford, councillors and business representatives.

The aim of the hub is to boost skills in STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and maths. The Manchester Airports Group's (MAG) flagship community project, which aims to attract 5,000 youngsters by 2016, wants to tell the history of the airport and show visitors the range of careers that are available in aviation.

There are interactive hands-on and audio-visual activities that show how aeroplanes fly and how the airport operates. The former U.S. Air Force base has uniforms for the youngsters to try on, exhibits dated back to the Second World War.

Managing director Andrew Harrison said: "The Aerozone is our flagship community project here at Stansted and its opening represents a long-term commitment to our community. Engaging with young people, particularly those living in areas close to the airport, is a vital part of our community work.

"The aim of the centre is to inspire young people to consider the varied careers within aviation, focusing on the vital STEM subjects that generate real prospects for young people and open their eyes to the fantastic opportunities available on their doorstep."

Boeing UK and Ireland president Sir Michael Arthur said: "As a growing aerospace company Boeing has an increasing need for engineers. Educational facilities like the this play an important role in inspiring young people at an early stage to study STEM subjects and take an interest in aviation."

Essex County Council member for education Cllr Ray Gooding said: "I am confident that this new facility will be well-used by schools across Essex and further afield.

"How better to spark a child's imagination than to develop their learning of STEM subjects related to the aviation industry, in a fantastic centre within sight of the Stansted runway.

"I know that Essex teachers, who always strive to add value to students' learning at school, will find the Aerozone extremely beneficial."

Local organisations and those from further afield including Boeing, Business in the Community, The Royal Aeronautical Society, Galliford Try, Essex Police, Essex County Council, British Airways, Harrods Aviation, Ryanair, EasyJet, Titan Airways, Marriot Civils, Global Supply Systems, AV8 Consulting, NATS, Youth Education Support, Inflite and Safran have offered sponsorship and materials to equip the centre.