Lincoln College Group Officially Launches £15.4 Million Air & Space Institute in Newark

A groundbreaking milestone for Newark and the wider East Midlands, Lincoln College Group (LCG) has officially opened its state-of-the-art Air & Space Institute (ASI), a £15.4 million project set to revolutionise education and career opportunities in the aviation and space industries.

Unveiled on September 27th at the former Cattle Market site on Great North Road, Newark, the institute offers a dynamic hub for innovative training, opening doors for aspiring students and equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the fast-paced aviation, travel, and tourism sectors.

The ASI, one of the Newark Town Board projects ,is poised to train hundreds of young people. Offering programmes from Level 2 to Level 5, the institute’s curriculum is designed in collaboration with leading industry partners, ensuring that students are ready to embark on a wide range of careers.

Lincoln College Group Principal and CEO, Mark Locking, said: “By partnering with leading figures in the aviation and space industries, we’ve been able to design a curriculum that is not only cutting-edge but also highly practical.

“From the moment our students step into the Air & Space Institute, they are working with the very technology and equipment that will define the future of these industries. Our aim is to equip our students with the skills and confidence they need to pursue high-flying careers, from piloting and engineering to management roles in aviation and beyond.”

The official opening event was attended by over 150 guests, including key local dignitaries and representatives from the aviation industry. Notable attendees included the East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering, along with representatives from the RAF and the National Space Academy.

Guests had the chance to tour the facility, starting with a networking session in the ASI hangar, where they enjoyed drinks and canapés. A highlight of the event was a presentation by Chris Hives, owner and director of Quiet Tiger Aviation (QTA) and an ASI flight instructor. Hives showcased pre-recorded footage of ASI students participating in air training events, flying Piper Warrior aircraft from Nottingham City Aerodrome. Aligning with a scheduled navigation exercise where the aircraft flew over the ASI during the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward praised the institute for its commitment to social mobility and creating pathways to high-skill aviation jobs for people from all backgrounds and its potential to uplift the local community and drive economic growth in the area.

“This truly amazing training facility offers a huge opportunity to the town of Newark and the wider East Midlands in terms of creating a pipeline of highly skilled professionals for the aviation and space sectors,” Ward said.

“The ASI’s ambition of enhancing social mobility is admirable. Careers like being a pilot or even some higher-skilled aviation engineering jobs have very few people in them from more deprived areas. The progression routes from Level 2 right up to degree level give people the support they need in their education to go all the way.

Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a huge day not just for Newark but the whole district. We now have an amazing world-class training centre right in the heart of our community which will be giving local students opportunities to pursue successful and inspiring careers like they’ve never had before. 

“This goes beyond just education but creates excitement and opens a whole world of opportunities for the local community. It will provide employment prospects and boost our local economy and will be home to more than 200 students each year.  

“It has created almost 40 new jobs for the area already and importantly will create many more over the coming generations to those wanting to embark on careers and pathways into better skilled, well-paid jobs in the civil and military aviation industries.” 

Newark Town Board Co-Chair, Louise Casey-Simpson, said: “There are not many places across the UK where students can get hands-on experience spending part of their learning on a real-life full-size Airbus, training with the latest VR technology or have the opportunity to take to the skies and participate in flying training.

“The ASI really is creating a work-ready workforce able to meet the needs and challenges of employers and it’s exciting to see it open!  

“It’s putting Newark on the map, along with other Newark Town Board projects, and this is another exciting moment. We need to continue to generate new creative and innovative education provision to create career pathways for future generations.”  

Beyond education, the ASI is expected to attract further investment to Newark, with related businesses and supply chains likely to follow as the student population grows.

The new institute is a launchpad for the next generation of aviation professionals. By integrating world-class resources with a focus on practical experience and industry collaboration, the ASI is set to become a beacon of opportunity for students and businesses alike.

With its official opening, the ASI has already begun transforming lives. Hundreds of local students are already enrolled, setting their sights on a future in aviation or space exploration. As Newark continues to grow as a hub for innovation, the institute stands as a testament to what is possible when education, industry, and community come together to invest in the future.

The Air & Space Institute is now fully operational and ready to inspire the next generation of pioneers. For those with dreams of the skies or even the stars, Newark’s ASI is where those dreams begin. Find out more about our courses and discuss your options at our upcoming Open Day.