Check against delivery. First delivery to the Reach for the Sky Metaverse at Stansted Airport College in March 2025.
Distinguished guests, industry partners, dedicated staff, and ambitious students,
As Chairman of the Advisory Board of Stansted Airport College, I welcome you to this groundbreaking occasion.
Today marks not just the launch of a virtual platform but the beginning of a new chapter in aviation education that will transform how we prepare the next generation of aviation professionals.
When Stansted Airport College opened its doors, we set out with a bold vision: to create an educational environment that seamlessly blends academic rigour with industry relevance. Located at the heart of a working international airport, our college represents a unique partnership between education and industry that has yielded remarkable results.
Since its inception, Stansted Airport College has prided itself on innovation. We've consistently challenged conventional educational approaches, seeking to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands. The results speak for themselves – our students achieve employment rates of over 90% within six months of graduation, with many securing positions with prestigious employers such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Manchester Airport Group.
Last year alone, most of graduates had good outcomes: either entering direct employment with airlines, securing positions in airport operations, and careers in aircraft maintenance. These aren't just statistics – they represent young lives transformed, careers launched, and dreams realised. What makes these outcomes possible? The answer lies in our extraordinary staff and their unwavering commitment to excellence.
These professionals don't just teach theory – they impart real-world wisdom that gives our students a significant career advantage. They represent the bridge between education and industry, making our college exceptional.
Today, we further commit to innovation by launching our Immersive Airport Experience – a revolutionary virtual aviation campus. I'm proud to announce that this initiative is one of just ten selected for funding through the 2024 Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, supported by the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority.
This achievement would not have been possible without our visionary partners at Metaverse Learning. I want to acknowledge Majid Al Kader, founder of Metaverse Learning, whose pioneering approach to digital education has transformed numerous sectors. His vision for immersive learning environments has revolutionised training across industries, from healthcare to manufacturing and aviation.
Alongside him, Jason Holt has been instrumental in connecting industry needs with educational solutions. His extensive aviation and workforce development background has ensured that our virtual platform addresses fundamental skills gaps and employer requirements. Together, they have created something exceptional – a learning environment that transcends physical limitations and opens new horizons for aspiring aviation professionals. Mohamed Tamer and employers have also played a major role.
This platform is more than just impressive technology – it represents a fundamental shift in how we prepare the next generation for aviation careers. Through this cutting-edge, web-based 3D environment, learners are immersed in a realistic airport setting, exploring every aspect, from check-in processes to aircraft maintenance, security protocols, and emergency procedures.
Imagine a student practising complex maintenance tasks on a virtual aircraft engine, able to see inside components and understand their function in ways impossible in a traditional workshop. Picture another student managing a simulated airport emergency, making critical decisions in real time without real-world consequences. These experiences provide a depth of learning that was previously unattainable.
The significance of immersive digital learning cannot be overstated. We're no longer confined to textbooks and two-dimensional learning. Instead, we've created a three-dimensional – even four-dimensional – world where time, space, and experience converge. Students can practice, fail, learn, and perfect their skills in a safe environment, experiencing scenarios that would be impossible to replicate in a traditional classroom.
Students can connect directly with industry leaders like British Airways, Emirates, and the Manchester Airport Group through this platform. They can explore diverse career paths, from air traffic control to sustainable aviation fuel development, gaining insights that will shape their educational journey.
Perhaps most importantly, this platform democratises education. Physical barriers, geographical limitations, and personal circumstances no longer determine who can access quality aviation training. A student from any background, from any location – rural communities or urban centres – can enter this virtual world and begin their journey toward an aviation career.
This accessibility is at the heart of our mission. The aviation industry has historically faced challenges in attracting diverse talent. Our immersive platform, coupled with the inspirational guidance of industry advocates like Mohamed Taher – known affectionately as "the Airport Guy" – is specifically designed to reach young people from under-represented backgrounds who may have faced barriers to entering this dynamic industry.
For those uncertain about their path, the platform integrates the CAA Career Quiz to align personal skills with suitable aviation roles. For those ready to take the next step, connections with Talentview Aviation provide direct access to apprenticeships, internships, and graduate opportunities.
The aviation industry stands at a critical juncture, facing challenges from sustainability imperatives to technological evolution. Meeting these challenges requires a workforce that is technically proficient, adaptable, innovative, and diverse in thought. Our immersive platform is designed to cultivate precisely these qualities in the next generation of aviation professionals.
As we unveil this virtual aviation campus today, I invite each of you to experience it firsthand. Explore the terminals, aircraft, and operational areas. Speak with the virtual guides and industry representatives. Witness how technology and education have merged to create something truly transformative.
In closing, I sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to making this vision a reality – our college staff, industry partners, government supporters, and our ambitious students who inspire us daily.
Together, we're not just reaching for the sky but creating new pathways to get there.
Thank you.
