An education and training facility at the Manston airport site is planned to open in 2023, most likely on the Northern Grass, say site owners RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP).
RSP, which was granted a Development Consent Order by the government on July 9 to proceed with plans for a freight hub and associated aviation at the site, says it wants to create a facility that will give training to young people but also offer opportunities to the long-term unemployed.
The aim is to relocate the RAF Manston History Museum and have the new facility alongside it. The museum will remain independent with its own Board of Trustees, separate entrance and admission charging policy but would be able to expand its own education programmes.
The proposal would be along the lines of Stansted Airport College – part of Harlow College – which works in partnership with the airport offering tailored aviation training programmes and apprenticeship schemes to help jobs seekers gain the necessary skills to enable them to secure employment at the airport.
Stansted Airport College is a joint venture between London Stansted and Harlow College with additional funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), Essex County Council, Uttlesford District Council and the Savoy Trust.
RSP says a similar venture will be part of the development at Manston with the aim of opening it at around the same time as the airport becomes operational.
RSP director Tony Freudmann said: “We will be offering facilities for young people in Thanet. The current plan is to create a facility on the airfield, probably at the Northern Grass.
“We have been to see Stansted College – the outreach of Harlow College – and youngsters with varying levels of qualifications train with a view to employment at the airport. There are a number of youngsters who gain their Level 2 and then go off to get trained with Ryan Air and we are keen to do that.”
RSP has been working with East Kent Group – which runs campuses including Broadstairs College – Canterbury Christ Church University and Kent County Council through its Manston Skills and Employment Board (MSE-B). Work has also taken place with Discovery Park. The plan is to offer apprenticeships, NVQs and T levels. Degree education, particularly in the field of engineering, may also be offered and discussions are taking place with CCCU on that subject.
A training facility ‘concept report’ says the plan is to buy an aircraft for students to work on with associated teaching workshops.
The report outlines expected courses as:
Aviation-specific:
Apprenticeships in relevant technical specialisms including mechanical and electrical engineering
Engineering Technician Mechatronics Maintenance Apprenticeship
Aircraft Maintenance Fitter/Technician Apprenticeship
Aviation Ground Specialist Apprenticeship
Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship
Airside Operator Apprenticeship
Aviation Ground Operative Apprenticeship
Aviation Operations Manager Apprenticeship
Non-aviation courses in professions associated with the operation of an airport:
Chef de Partie Apprenticeship
Commis Chef Apprenticeship
Events Assistant Apprenticeship
Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship
Hospitality Team Member Apprenticeship
Hospitality Manager Apprenticeship
Senior Chef Production Cooking Apprenticeship
Hospitality and events management
Retail and Barista training
Customer service training
General Security and First Aid training
It is hoped training can also be offered to those currently unemployed in the same disciplines as those being offered to younger students but also with a focus on retraining and upskilling.
Mr Freudmann said: “We would really want to hear from former employees at Manston who would like to return, regardless of age and whether it is all week or a couple of days a week. It may be they can take part in training our students and sharing their skills.”
The concept report also says: “Engaging with and inspiring long-term unemployed or underemployed adults will be a key focus for the Manston facility. We would also focus on retraining and up-skilling adults who have previously worked at Manston and those who would like to move their career to the airport.
“This may also include those with a background in aviation who would like to train to teach. It may also be possible to offer English language courses for marine and aviation professionals from overseas.”
Training is expected to span areas including airport security, cargo handling, operations management and fire services, with the report adding: “The Manston facility would lead the way in R&D and provide the necessary training and re-training as required.”
Associated businesses with sites close to the airport would also be able to take advantage of training facilities and school visits to the museum and training site would be encouraged.
The report says: “The Manston facility could incorporate the RAF Manston History Museum, a current aircraft for use in training students, training rooms, workshops, library, VR suites, apprentice hub, library, school visit centre, community learning including support for home schooled children, conference centre and innovation hub. All these facilities would support the local community and enhance the quality of life for residents.”
How it would look:
The suggested early stage layout is:
On the ground floor, the museum would be to one side of the building. It would have its own entrance and be completely independent, with decisions about management, charging, events etc. made by the Trustees.
Separating the museum from the Academy would be the aircraft, used for Canterbury Christ Church students to dismantle and re-assemble. This would be housed in a glass atrium reaching through all levels. A high level walkway would provide viewing for visitors, particularly school parties. This could, if the museum so wished, be accessible from their facility. The atrium would also house the reception area.
On the other side of the atrium could be workshops, VR suites and the innovation centre for start up businesses.
On the next floor would be the conference facilities/performance space/lecture theatre, which could double as additional flexible classroom space by use of partitioning. The space could also host school parties.
Opposite the conference facilities would be classrooms, a library, and an apprentice hub.
A separate level or mezzanine attached to the atrium could house a restaurant for students and visitors. Positioned with views over the airfield, this would provide an attractive location to relax between classes, conduct informal business meetings or to visit and look at the airport in operation. The restaurant may also provide in-work training for hospitality students.
Suggestions for funding range from a commercial operation run by RSP or an agent; appointing a lead provider; outsourcing or creating a joint partnership between the airport and a specialist university.
RSP, which has spent some £38million to date on the DCO and buying the Jentex site, will provide the land for the training site with a possibility that investors will support it.
The report adds: “We expect to continue to work with KCC and to engage with SELEP to explore funding opportunities. Other funding sources will depend on the business model and the stakeholders involved.”
Providing training and local employment is part of the DCO terms. Under a unilateral undertaking with Thanet council RSP is obliged to make an initial payment of £250,000 and an annual payment of £50,000 over a 20 year period.
Employing locally is also a term of the DCO.
Mr Freudmann says RSP is keen to have a local workforce. He estimates that during construction, due to start next year, there will be around 600 people on site and that airport forecasts are for employment of ‘several thousand’ locally.
RSP’s next steps?
Survey and design works – for infrastructure; preparing for the huge levelling task of reducing the gradient at Manston from around 3&% to 1%; making sure the aquifer is protected; checking the strength of the runway.
Mr Freudmann said: “During the later part of the design process we will be bringing in a major contractor. They will be instructed to employ as much local labour as they can – and that is a condition of the DCO anyway.
Construction work – due to start next summer running through to the early part of 2023.
Alongside this there will be the work with the Civil Aviation Authority on the flight paths, which will look at areas including how many flights go over Ramsgate and how many go in the direction over St Nicholas-at-Wade. The flight path decision will be made by the CAA. Public consultation on the paths is expected to take place this autumn.
Aerodrome certification will also need to be issued by the CAA which means approving all the ground operations, the operating manual, airfield safety, security and more.
Cargo -Capital works taking place up until opening in the first quarter of 2023 will include the creation of a cargo shed.
Mr Freudmann said: “A lot of cargo is being shipped in and out of European airports because slots aren’t available at London airports, there is a huge shortage of capacity. For example Frankfurt has 4 runways but Heathrow has only 2.
“For Manston we are talking about 747 freighters, four or five movements a day. We are restricted by the DCO to 18,000 cargo and 7,000 passenger movements per year. Put that in contet Gatwick has around 300,000 so we will be small scale but with big aircraft carrying cargo in and out.
“There is a growing Amazon type of operation bringing stuff to customers and they need flights in the daytime, which we have got, and they need land to build facilities. Other airports do not have much land and so 10-30 acres for building on would not be available from them.
Passenger flights – Low cost flights are still in the plan but will not be for one or two years after opening due to the impact of Covid on the industry.
Mr Freudmann said: “We want to see how the design of passenger terminals will change for the post-Covid situation.”
Night flights – Mr Freudmann says the DCO prohibits night flights although a delayed arrival might happen within those restricted hours. No scheduled arrivals or departures will take place between 11pm and 6am.
Opposition and a legal challenge
The DCO approval has caused anger amongst people opposed to the creation of a cargo hub, with a crowdfunder now launched to gain funds towards a Judicial Review application.
A statement from Thanet Green Party says: “Thanet Green Party is frankly astonished at the Minister of Transport’s decision to overrule the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendations and approve the DCO for Manston.
“This decision runs counter to all the facts considered by the Examining Authority, recent Court rulings on the Government’s climate commitments and the devastating impact of Covid on the aviation sector.
“Most tellingly, the Planning Inspectorate concluded that the applicants had not provided sufficient evidence of need for a new cargo facility at Manston, even before the Covid crisis. They also cast doubt on many aspects of the applicants’ submission, including the huge numbers of jobs they predicted.
“The decision will inevitably be challenged in the courts, meaning this sorry saga will drag on well into the future, with inevitable negative effects on us in Thanet. It will also mean missed opportunities both locally and nationally to #BuildBackBetter post-Covid with sound plans for a sustainable, greener future.”
Campaigners from No Night Flights previously said: “We are incredulous that the SoS would override a recommendation from the planning inspectorate NOT to grant the DCO and will be reviewing our options to challenge this and protect our town from this horrible blight, a blight which will threaten thousands of jobs and the tourism economy as a whole.”
“Mr Freudmann says RSP is keen to have a local workforce. He estimates that during construction, due to start next year, there will be around 600 people on site and that airport forecasts are for employment of ‘several thousand’ locally.”
Yet an established airport like Southampton employs 100 people ?? How are the suddenly going to outshine all these other airports, making more profits and employing more people??
Show us the money and who the investors are and that they are still investing
Eg on Spengler,
Where do you get a figure of 100 employed by Southampton airport?
Are those 100 directly employed by the said airport?
How many are employed by sub-contractors working at this quite busy airport? (pre covid19, of course)
How many local businesses service this airport? You know, cleaners, fuel delivery, catering, hotels, cafes, car parking firms, etc etc etc.
Even if that figure of 100 has a semblance of truth you are conveniently only telling part of the story to enhance your narrative.
Manston will employ a large number of people that will not necessarily physically work on the airport site, and you know it!
Tell the whole story, please.
https://www.southamptonairport.com/contact-us/airport-jobs/
Southampton Airports own website:
“Almost 1200 people make up Team Southampton – the workforce dedicated to running Southampton Airport and looking after our 1.96million annual passengers. Of these 1200 people, almost 100 are employed directly by Southampton Airport with many more employed by several business partners across the airport.”
RSP are telling us they will open with 1500 jobs created (ignoring that in 2017 they said in first year of operation almost 6,000 people will find employment as a result of Manston’s revival), whether they are direct or indirect employee, how can they state they will open and there will be more jobs than somewhere extremely well established with 1.8 million passengers and 36,000 flights.
It’s all pie in the sky and totally made up as they go along…..
Here is RSPs own website stating opening with 6000 jobs !
https://rsp.co.uk/news/riveroak-strategic-partners-plans-for-manston-set-to-create-almost-30000-jobs-in-thanet-and-wider-region/
6,000 jobs would also be inclusive of the contractors, builders, cleaners, landscapers etc. involved with the site regeneration phase and not solely employed for the general operation of the airport.
“During construction, some 600 people will be employed, but Mr Freudmann says the overall figure of employment through the airport will reach the thousands.”
So you still believe there will be thousands more jobs than a well established airport ??
Its about time people took their fingers out their ears i was born in margare and its a tip no jobd no money numbers just hide the whats needed jobs money and a future after this crap virus its about time someone did somethng to get the erea up and working again manston was an amazing r.a.f. station with one of the longest runways in europe even in tests for concord have u all forgotten what an important place u have on the doorstep?
Manston runway is nowhere near one of the longest runways in the UK let alone Europe !
Of course that is just what Thanet needs …..
Terrific training in so many aspects of the Aviation Industry….
Skills and qualifications that ensure good jobs , and prospects for the future….
The sooner RSP can begin construction the better…
Where is the demand? Currently tens of thousands of aviation jobs are being lost, why are compaies going to want to train up all these new people when there will be more than enough in the labour pool ??
How convenient. An RSP story with more fantasy numbers in it right after a JR article. Tony F will have a good stash of creative copy up his sleeve I’m sure. Electric barges anyone? 30,000 jobs anyone? Trees for all? Electric planes? Unicorns? Free sheds?
In the same way Karen Constantine followed Jane Wenham-Jones or SMAa followed David Green. T
Great to see all the plans being announced. Forward thinking post Covid & Brexit with investment for local people in Thanet & the South East. Wonderful.
Due to the ‘passionate’ comments, I am turning commenting off tonight and will turn them back on in the morning as I can’t moderate in my sleep
Maybe dear Tone ought to do his research before he sends out a press release
In Planning terms an Educational facility (non-residential) is earmarked D1
Check the actual DCO document on PINS he hasn’t applied to the SoS for anything on the site as D1. Therefore he does not have permission to build one
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR020002/TR020002-005351-Development%20Consent%20Order%20as%20made%20by%20the%20Secretary%20of%20State.pdf
What is happening with the Spitfire & Hurricane Museum? They appear to have been airbrushed from RSP’s plans… It is a lovely little Museum, very quaint with a good atmosphere. I hope that some thought will be given to funding some improvements to their site and safeguarding their future and that of the Memorial Garden.
The Spitfire Museum was gifted the freehold of the land it sits on by those out-and-out much maligned cars SHP.
At the close of the Examonation, despite repeated requests, RSP hadn’t told the trustees what was going to happen.
It looks as though RSP will want to bundle the museums to a new site.
As far as I am aware through a friend of a friend who volunteers there the Trustees of the Spitfire Museum have gone to some considerable effort to explore all the options given to them by RSP. With the security of their freehold surely RSP can’t bundle them together?
It depends if the DCO includes compulsory acquisition of various parcels of land, including the Museums’ lands.
During the DCO Examination, q’s were put several times to RSP about what was to happen to the museums. No satisfactory answer (well, no answer at all) was forthcoming.
Things might have changed since the Examination closed last autumn, but we don’t know.
The BBC gets into the same tangle. I recall that BBC Radio 4 had a piece from a well respected Climate change scientist and to balance it they allowed Lord Lawson who is a climate change denier and not a scientist a right of reply or in his case a right of ignorance.
What you get is fact and reason versus ‘opinion’, and in this case ‘proposals’, which are neither balanced nor informative.
This whole affair has been bedevilled with fake facts, fake news and false prospectuses.
We had an impartial, informed, balanced, examination. All the facts and suppositions were interrogated, sifted, assessed and given due weight by a panel made up of individuals with the expert skill to disseminate between fact and fiction. It was the balanced way, the correct way, the British way, of coming to a view and what happened?
Pigs flew, barrels of pork were uncasqued and all is now pie in the sky.
Sure, we need more technical training, but look what is on offer? Aviation skills when the industry is on its knees and terms and conditions are being dramatically lowered, and hospitality which is not exactly going to thrive in Ramsgate with old jumbo jets flying less than 1000 ft overhead.
The reason why Thanet clings on to schemes like this, is because all to many have gone to sleep and they hope when they wake up all will return to the heady days of the 1950’s.Well it won’t happen and we must all wake up and stop relying on the past to bring forward a better future.
Oh “Protect the aquifer” Kathy. Have tests been witnessed and verified by Drinking Water Inspectorate then ?
What are Environment Agency plans for United Nations Stockholm Convention enforcement on Manston site.
Did RSP modify their plan to account for Stockholm Convention? If not Secretary of State gave the nod to an obsolete plan
It’s a common ploy on all these big projects to overestimate the jobs created. I’m thinking of Thanet Earth and the promises made for substantial employment gains but these gains post-approval were very disappointing. Perhaps they ought to be accountable for these claims….
We have all lost so many ex r.a.f.stations to housing estates losses in use history and the memory of men and womens sacrifices at least if manstons in use for any type of flying it wont be lost to just history books so tell me what ur reasons are for objecting to tease plans? Just numbers of jobs cause if so aslong as any new jobs are made its a win win situation isnt it
I have no objections at all to a well run airport, what I have is absolutely no trust in someone leading a project is a serial failure at running airports and with their eye on one thing only and that is eventual building of houses there !
The whole thing sounds bloody awful and completely the wrong sort of development for this large brownfield site, especially considering that aviation is one of the largest polluters of the environment.
“Mr Freudmann says the DCO prohibits night flights although a delayed arrival might happen within those restricted hours. No scheduled arrivals or departures will take place between 11pm and 6am.”
Most cargo flights are not scheduled. Therefore, there is every possibility of unscheduled flights any time any night.
The aim is to relocate the RAF Manston History Museum and have the new facility alongside it. The museum will remain independent with its own Board of Trustees, separate entrance and admission charging policy but would be able to expand its own education programmes.
The report says: “The Manston facility could incorporate the RAF Manston History Museum, a current aircraft for use in training students, training rooms, workshops, library, VR suites, apprentice hub, library, school visit centre, community learning including support for home schooled children, conference centre and innovation hub.
As with anything they do it’s not clear ! First is relocate the museum, than its incorporate the museum. Plus it says a entrance charge is being introduced. So if the museum is still independent why has it got to start charging ? Most admit I havent been for sometime now does it charge now ?
I thought both planes were to delicate to be moved
This article is just froth to counter balance the JR fundraising.
You can guarantee any update on JR progress will be shortly followed by Tony F’s latest wheez. I think by the time we get to September it’ll be Friday karaoke klub on the runway with Roger (10 thousand new jobs as a result) and we can all pile round to a BBQ at Craig’s house where he will do a live demo of a new carbon neutral coal briquette that RSP has invented.
Can’t wait.
PS KGB operatives welcome. Wear a funny hat so we know who you are.
I sit here absolutely disgusted with some of the people, who comment on this post,Marva Rees, Emmeline, EgonSpengler, etc how Selfish, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the people of Thanet, it is not Government money being used, so what have we got to loose, give them a time limit, of 20 years, to make it profitable, if it doesn’t, then, dig the runway up and plant a Forest.
What hope have the young people of Thanet got, none, let us give them hope of a future, like most of the people who comment on here, back in the sixties, when we could walk from one Job to another, I also live in CT11, but I would never stand in the way of a massive investment that could be coming to Manston.
, my Father had a saying which he taught me, IT IS BETTER TO GIVE, THAN TO RECEIVE, so let’s give the young people of Thanet, HOPE.
Selfish ?
I’d love a well run working airport, it was very convenient and I had used the smaller airlines a couple of time
What I don’t have is any trust in the current owners, their past history, their extremely overinflated job numbers, how they are going to make a profit…. they have their eye on one thing only and that is houses…..
There is nothing selfish about not wanting the noise and pollution of a busy airport near a town of 40,000 residents.
I total agree with Tripod. It has been an airport for a very long time, let RSP get on with investing in the airport and local area. If it bothers you please feel free to move.
I’m quite happy living not near the airport thanks, doesn’t stop me having no trust in the rubbish RSP spout to try appease people….
Dawn. You clearly are not aware that there was only a commercial airport at Manston for a few years.
Perhaps it’s time for airport supporters to stop telling people to move.
Marva, it has been an airport for over 100 years. It was an active RAF base (RAF Manston) from 1916 to 1996!
Here is the history of the airport including all the cargo & commercial info. It became a commercial airport in 1989.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manston_Airport