Farnborough aerospace innovation centre prepares to launch

Published by

Sam Pither

Farnborough College of Technology's new Aerospace Research and Innovation Centre (ARIC) is set to open Monday (18 July).

The ARIC will be a dedicated aerospace education, training and innovation facility, open for current and future aerospace engineers.

It will offer graduate and established engineers the opportunity to work alongside both new companies and established businesses while pursuing their own research within the modern on-site facilities.

Meanwhile, engineering students will be able to gain experience and career progression by collaborating with local employers in the Farnborough aerospace cluster.

The centre has a number of facilities designed with collaboration in mind, whether that be between students and businesses or between businesses themselves. These include meeting spaces, studios, creative workshops, catering facilities and a library.

It has been developed in partnership with Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise, who are co-funding the project, Hampshire County Council, Rushmoor Borough Council and Farnborough Aerospace Consortium. The college has also worked with local aerospace companies Airbus, Gulfstream, Tag Maintenance and 2Excel, who have provided insight and expertise when planning the facilities.

Artist's Impression fly-through of the ARIC

When construction began in December of 2020, Dave Axam, Chair of Enterprise M3 LEP, commented: “In Enterprise M3 we have a strong knowledge led, design and digital based economy which proudly includes world leading Aerospace and Space companies.

“As part of our Revive and Renew economic plan for the area we are delighted to support the Aerospace Research and Innovation Centre development at Farnborough College of Technology. This strategic development will ensure we continue to deliver the vital skills needed to this industry as well as providing people with exciting career pathways.”

Farnborough is an important cluster in the UK’s aerospace sector, evidenced by the biennial Farnborough International Airshow. This year’s event opens the same day as the ARIC, 18 July, and runs until 22 July, bringing together some of the sector’s key players.

One of these will be Fareham-based Barnbrook Systems Limited, which we reported on last month.
Read more - Hampshire firm to showcase new products at Farnborough International Airshow

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.