Engineering & Aerospace Studies

Welcome to our European Centre for Aerospace Training (ECAT). The UK is a world leader in the training of quality aerospace engineers under the Civil Aviation Authority "kitemark" and Macclesfield College is rated as among the best aerospace training establishments in the UK. This was endorsed by the grade 1 achieved by the College's Engineering School in the OFSTED/ALI inspection.

The European Centre for Aerospace Training (ECAT) at Macclesfield College has been selected by the National Learning and Skills Council as a Centre of Vocational Excellence.

The Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Aerospace Engineering is a specialist area of vocational provision at Macclesfield College. It is developing new provision focused on meeting the skills needs of employers locally, regionally, nationally and sectorally. ECAT provides training to address the skills needs and shortages in aircraft manufacturing and aircraft maintenance in the North West and beyond. 

It also seeks to give a greater number of individuals from all backgrounds access to the high quality vocational training that they need to succeed in a modern economy. ECAT already attracts overseas contracts and students from the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait are studying with us.

Industry Partnerships

Macclesfield College works closely with many aircraft maintenance companies including First Choice Airways/TUi Travel, Thomas Cook/MyTravel, RavenAir, Northern Executive Airways and Monarch Engineering Ltd to deliver bespoke training that suits the needs of individual companies.

Programmes

Foundation Degree in Engineering (Aerospace Studies)
This part time course will be suitable if you are in employment or looking to develop skills and the knowledge qualification required for aircraft maintenance engineering at degree level.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (NVQ Level 3)
This course will be suitable if you are an employed trainee following an Apprenticeship, supported by the local Learning and Skills Council.

EASA IR-Part 147 Studies
ECAT has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to deliver aircraft maintenance training to EASA IR-Part 147. The accreditation means that ECAT students can now both study and be assessed on EASA IR-part 66 modules towards A1 or B1 licensed for turbine engines. The A1 modules can be studied over 6 months full-time and the B1 modules studied for 2.5 years full-time, or broken down into units to be studied on a part-time basis.

Human Factors Initial and Continuation Training Courses
It is a EASA part 21 and Part 145 requirement that staff receive initial and sufficient continuation training every 2 years. In addition to fulfilling the regulatory requirements these programmes are designed to meet your specific organizational requirements and business needs.

For further information please contact George Martin, Training Manager, on 01625 410029 or e-mail:

The Facilities

The facilities include a new Customer Reception for ECAT, a new Engineering IT Suite and fully equipped Engineering Workshops and Laboratories, as well a BAe Jetstream 31 commercial aircraft from Eastern Airways.

These facilities will enable ECAT to apply to the Civil Aviation Authority to become an EASA Part 147 approved maintenance training provider which will facilitate a training provision for aerospace engineers from companies throughout the North West.