A business which provides training for airline cabin crew and pilots is set to reach new heights under the ownership of Manchester-based EDM.
EDM, which manufactures and assembles training simulators for clients in sectors including civil aviation, defence and rail, has completed the acquisition of SkyPeople.
The acquired business has been renamed SkyPeople Training and has gained accreditation from the Civil Aviation Authority as a cabin crew training organisation and security training provider, with a rating of ‘outstanding’.
This accreditation enables the business to provide the Attestation of Initial Cabin Crew safety training, which is recognised and approved by the CAA and airlines. All cabin crew working on UK-registered aircraft must possess the qualification.
SkyPeople Training has taken over a range of contracts with UK-based passenger and cargo airlines formerly held by the acquired business.
Sarah Ferguson, EDM’s group financial director, has also assumed the role of chief executive of SkyPeople Training following the completion of the deal. Financial details of the acquisition are undisclosed.
Katie Wood, one of the three founders of SkyPeople, remains full-time in the business. Her co-founders Collette and Shaun Waddingham will continue to support the company with their industry knowledge and experience.
The acquired business has seven full-time staff and employs a network of specialist trainers to deliver its courses across the UK and globally.
Sarah said: “The acquisition marks a significant addition to EDM and represents another milestone in our continued expansion. SkyPeople is a respected business which has a long history of providing high-quality training to cabin crew and pilots all over the UK and worldwide.
“We have exciting plans to grow the business as we look at new contracts with a range of airlines and the opportunity to deliver cabin crew training to them at our own base in Manchester.
“Having opened our Aviation Training Academy in 2021, we have fantastic facilities which will enable us to expand our offering. The academy is becoming busier as airlines discover us, as we are able to fully support them with all their training needs.
“We are looking at creating a similar facility in the south of England, as well as expanding our training offering in different areas and sectors, such as customer sales and support, leadership and management, and first aid. We have a diverse range of experience and talent in the team to support this expansion.”
Sarah added: “The CAA accreditation means that as well as delivering Attestation we can assist operators in many other ways, including completely supporting new airlines by developing their manuals, training materials and delivering the product.
“We can also support more established operators during busy times or periods of expansion by upskilling our team to deliver those clients’ own training, on site or at our facility.”
EDM, which was founded in 1971, has a 100,000 sq ft facility in Newton Heath, Manchester, with manufacturing, assembly and factory testing capabilities in addition to its Aviation Training Academy. The company serves organisations worldwide from its headquarters.
Group managing director Tony Bermingham said: “We have worked with SkyPeople for a number of years, and the combination of expertise and resources across both businesses will allow for a comprehensive approach to cabin crew training, from design and consultancy to delivery, recruitment, facility supply and crewing.
“We aim to grow our offering to airlines to reduce their costs and transform the delivery of cabin crew training by being a one-stop shop for airlines of any size.”
Katie said: “The combination of EDM and SkyPeople is a perfect match. Joining forces with such a well-established company means we can continue to expand our provision while still offering our learner-centric training with the nurturing style for which we are renowned.”
