18 Jun 15. Airbus Group has signed partnership agreements with seven leading European aeronautics and engineering universities to ensure students graduate with the skills required by industry to face future challenges generated by a more complex and competitive environment. A signing ceremony took place at the Paris Air Show in the presence of the universities’ representatives and senior Airbus Group management. The seven strategic partners are the University Carlos III in Madrid, the University of Seville, the Technical University of Madrid, France’s Institute Mines-Telecom, Delft University of Technology, the Technical University of Milan and the University of Bristol.
“These partnership agreements underline our commitment to work hand-in-hand with academics and engineering education leaders to develop and secure the competences that the aerospace industry will need in the future,” said Thierry Baril, Chief Human Resources Officer of
Airbus Group. “Developing a talent pipeline is vital to our success. We are proud to partner with such prestigious universities to pursue this objective”.
The agreements aim to foster long-term collaboration in all areas of mutual interest including the development of strategic competences, both technical and soft skills (e.g. Complex Systems, Architecture and Integration; Networks and Content Security; Supplier Assessment and Development; Manufacturing and Engineering; Programme and Project Management; Quality and Improvement), the development of common educational programmes, designing student competitions and support to encourage diversity. In the frame of these agreements, Airbus Group has also committed to develop a dedicated internship programme that will aim to develop these competences in-house. The signatures are part of a wider initiative known as the Airbus Group University Partner Programme, which involves more than 20 universities from more than 10 countries. Representatives of the universities met Airbus Group Human Resources and business representatives at the Air Show to ensure that industry and academic requirements converge and help engineering students develop the most appropriate skills they will need in industry. During the 3-day event in Paris, the key themes addressed were Internships, Innovation and defining the “Engineer of the Future”. In the context of this programme, Airbus Group aims to sign more university partnership agreements before the end of the year. Anticipation and collaboration with universities will help to secure Airbus Group’s capacity to innovate in the future. The company is committed to provide development and learning opportunities for young people and currently welcomes 2,800 trainees and a further 4,000 apprentices around the world.
18 Jun 15. Poland’s Metal-Master exploring military versions of Flaris light jet. The CEO of Polish manufacturing company Metal-Master has been in discussions with Poland’s Ministry of Defence about possible military versions for the Flaris very light jet. Rafal Ladzinski told IHS Jane’s at the Paris Air Show that the current focus was on achieving a first flight in 2015 for Flaris, which was recently re-engined with a 1,910 lb-thrust Williams FJ-33-5A small turbofan. However, he said the company was also mindful of growing interest in military applications for the Flaris, the initial LAR01 civil version of which is currently priced at about EUR1.5m (USD1.9m). Flaris officials said they could modify the baseline LAR01, which features an 80% composite structure, 1.6 ton maximum take-off weight, and 380 kt cruise speed, for surveillance missions. With two crew members, a light surveillance package, and existing fuselage-only fuel tanks it could have a five-hour endurance. The LAR01’s wings are removable to reduce storage requirements. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Jun 15. Airbus Helicopters showcases several ground-breaking research projects and new helicopter innovations for environment-friendly technologies duri