AEROZONE, an Essex-based education centre designed to encourage entrants to the booming aviation industry, will welcome its first school parties in March 2015.
Construction work began this week on the £500,000 airport-themed centre at Stansted airport.
Aerozone will offer tailored “STEM” (science, technology, engineering and maths) activities to youngsters from local schools, colleges and community groups.
Aerozone education co-ordinator, Joanne Davies, said: “The
centre will provide a taster of airport life and an insight into the variety of careers on offer across the site, including many technically-based careers such as aircraft engine maintenance and communications engineering.
The airport’s head of construction and development, Matt Allen, marked the occasion by turning the first sod of soil this week. 
He was joined by Joanne Davies and Bernie Kelly of Galliford Try, the company constructing the centre.
Matt said: “Engaging with young people, particularly those living in areas close to the airport, is a vital part of our community work. We want to encourage and inspire young people to think about what the airport does, why it does it, and the career opportunities that could be available to them in the future.”
Stansted Airport bosses believe the centre will have a significant role to play in tackling youth unemployment.
Matt said: “We have already implemented a range of initiatives and projects to support young people into jobs at the
airport. We need to do everything possible to close the gap between high youth unemployment and a shortage of local skilled employees.
“The Aerozone will join our existing employment academy in helping to equip future employees with skills that will help them find work, either here at Stansted or with other employers in the
aviation industry.”
An old administration building, adjacent to the airfield, is being completely refurbished to house the classrooms while the 
surrounding area will be landscaped to include picnic, viewing and parking areas.
There will also be space dedicated to the airport’s history. It will include photos and artefacts dating back to the Second World War when Stansted began life as a U.S. Air Force base.
Work is due to be completed by mid-February with the centre set to open in March 2015.