The TEDX speakers with Paul O’Toole (CEO SOLAS) L-R: Adam Harris, AsIAm.ie; Brendan Kavanagh, Olive Learning; Margaret Reilly, CTR Manufacturing; Michael Mooney, SOLAS eCollege; Patrick Jordan, owner, Atlantic Aviation Group; Paul O’Toole; Mairead Healy, Future Voices; and Mairead Crosby , IBEC Mid-West.

Shannon Chamber was delighted to attend the launch of another first for Shannon: the opening of the new 66,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility Atlantic Aviation Institute by Atlantic Aviation Group. The launch was marked by the hosting of the first TEDxShannonEd in conjunction with SOLAS in the new Free Zone facility.

The Atlantic Aviation Institute is a new venture aimed at capitalising on the enormous opportunities available in the aviation sector as the industry expands over the coming years. The Institute will provide employment, attract students and play a key role in attracting new Aerospace and Aviation companies to the Shannon / Mid-West region.

It is a new partnership between aviation and aerospace education and training organisations and will provide innovative learning solutions for domestic and international aviation programs from technical aviation training to undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications. It also will offer a range of short executive course to address the continuing professional development needs of professionals within the aviation sector nationally and internationally.”

The Institute will be equipped with the latest aeronautical education and training equipment and will be in close proximity to the live aircraft maintenance environment minutes away at the Atlantic Aviation Group’s base maintenance hangar.

Commenting on the launch, Atlantic Aviation Group CEO Connor Flanagan said, “The Institute’s vision is to be a global centre of excellence in aviation and aerospace education, training and consulting and we expect to draw students from across the globe to the Mid-West region. We also understand the domestic demand for aviation specific education and training having built some very strong relationships and collaborations with aviation companies in the region.”

He continued, “We at Atlantic Aviation Group have shown enormous ambition since our owner Patrick Jordan bought the company 18 months ago. Along with this €2 million investment in the new Atlantic Aviation Institute, we recently got approval to add a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) to the group and will add a Part 21 Design organisation early in the new year to complement over 50 years of providing aircraft maintenance services in Shannon.”

The independently organised TED event curated by SOLAS in partnership with Atlantic Aviation Group, saw over 120 guests treated to nine speakers sharing their inspirational stories and exciting ideas for education for the future.

Among the speakers was Atlantic Aviation Group owner Patrick Jordan. In his presentation entitled ‘Many paths to success’, Mr Jordan explained how he came to acquire the Shannon based company in 2015 following a period of examinership under the previous ownership. He said “The thought of over 50 years of experience and 220 highly skilled employees losing their jobs did not sit easy with me. I have a great love for the West of Ireland and I felt the fundamentals of the company were good so I could make a go of it.”

Mr Jordan went on to explain that the new core values at the company now underpin the actions of each of the employees creating a more productive, fun and rewarding environment for everyone. The company has enormous ambition which is shown with this €2million investment in the Institute and the plans to facilitate over 500 national and international students in Shannon by 2020.

The TEDx Shannon event will be broadcast on YouTube in the coming weeks. For all of the latest, go to www.atlanticaviation.ie or sign up to the Atlantic Aviation Group social media.