Our journey starts with a joint venture between Resource Group and Lufthansa Technical Training to become Lufthansa Resource Technical Training (LRTT). This partnership blended Lufthansa Technical Training’s expertise with Resource Group’s access to the UK and adjacent maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) markets.

LRTT successfully achieved Category A1 Maintenance Certifying Mechanic fixed-wing approval and delivered its first-ever apprenticeship programme for 12 FLS Aerospace apprentices.

Most UK CAA engineer licence holders had limitations applied to their licences when moving from the British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR) to the brand new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system. LRTT achieved CAT B1.1 Maintenance Certifying Technician fixed-wing approval, and created a bespoke course which helped to remove the limitations from hundreds of engineers’ licences, enabling them to progress in their careers.

After spotting an opportunity to expand, LRTT achieved CAT A3 and B1.3 approvals related to rotary wing aircraft, enabling the business to support helicopter operators working in the offshore oil and gas industry. We were delighted to onboard CHC Helicopter as our first rotary wing apprenticeship customer.

Building on its success and blossoming reputation for excellence with the UK CAA, LRTT was eager to complete the suite of training approvals. In 2008, we achieved the final approval – CAT B2 related to Avionics.

BAE Systems approached LRTT with a requirement to train around 500 new maintainers, and in 2009, signed an agreement for apprenticeship services. This was only the beginning of LRTT’s and BAE Systems’ training partnership which continues to this day and encompasses training at all levels, from mechanic to graduate.

LRTT worked with Reykjavik Flight Academy to establish a B1.1 Technician Training programme in Iceland. Traditionally, individuals were trained at various sites overseas however, the growing demand from Icelandair and other operators on the island merited the setup of a local solution. LRTT played an integral part in a coalition with Icelandic Flight Academy, Icelandic Technical Schools, operators on the island, and Icelandic Trade Unions, to facilitate and deliver a 2400-hour training programme which remains in place today.

Established as a market leader, LRTT was ready to move its offering to the next level. The creation of a brand-new, purpose-built hangar at Cotswold Airport was the culmination of seven years of highly successful service delivery. LRTT designed the building from scratch and in September 2009, signed a 10-year lease on the new facility. By June 2010, the business had relocated and was fully operational in its new base.

LRTT continued to grow its service offering to BAE Systems into a full career programme for its maintainers. We even won the prestigious BAE Systems Chairman’s Award for sharing best practices from the civil to the military aviation technical training environment.

The business required greater flexibility to grow, and so an amicable parting of the joint venture partners was negotiated, with Resource Group buying Lufthansa Technical Training’s share. Not wishing to lose the association with LRTT’s brand heritage, the company renamed from Lufthansa Resource Technical Training Ltd to LRTT Ltd, and became a solely owned Resource Group company.

Now able to expand geographically and through our product range, a rapid expansion followed which included a web-based training offering that continues to grow to this day.

We were commissioned by BAE Systems Saudi Arabia Development and Training, to establish the first ever EASA Part 147 training approval in the Kingdom. This included courseware, instructors, workshop set up and equipment, as well as on aircraft practical training exercises.

Resource Group became a member of the Aviation Trailblazer Working Group, consisting of aviation experts and selected employers who have extensive industry knowledge. The group design and develop the aviation engineering standards for apprenticeship programmes, and ensure the standards are fit for purpose and meet stakeholder requirements.

Our relationship with BAE Systems went from strength to strength and we soon outgrew our facilities in Doncaster. The decision to build a new training site at Humberside International Airport was approved by BAE Systems, and the following 12 months saw the construction of the new academy.

The new Aircraft Maintenance Academy site opened as a partnership between Resource Group and BAE Systems. The site is called the R.J. Mitchell Academy in recognition of Reginald Joseph Mitchell, a British Aeronautical Engineer who designed the Supermarine Spitfire.

Resource Group became one of the earliest adopters of the new apprenticeship Standards, and we were one of the first companies listed on the initial register of Apprenticeship Training Providers. Our new Apprentice Centre team was formed, and we were able to add value to our clients by offering them a turnkey solution to unlock apprenticeship funding and train the next generation of their respective workforces. Our innovative and flexible approach moved our apprenticeship offering to new levels, receiving multiple awards and recognitions along the way.

Resource Group went through a management buyout and the brand entered a new era as Resource International Group Investments was formed – a Swiss based company with a cross divisional focus.

Although Resource Group was widely recognised as experts in training delivery, we saw an opportunity to improve our offering to clients through the addition of analysis and design services. This led to the formation of the Learning Design division and associated new business streams.

Further innovation led to the creation of flight crew eLearning products, the Resource Group Online Academy (iAcademy), and the hosting of training products on our bespoke Learning Management System.

Like other businesses, Resource Group faced various challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we continued to support our clients and provide the very best services to them.

It was important for us to enable students to continue learning. Where other companies had to postpone training or even cancel it altogether, Resource Group adapted its training delivery to enable students to continue with their studies remotely. We continued to deliver our apprenticeship programme, Technician Training programme in Iceland, and UK CAA & EASA Part-66 Instructor-Led courses. The remote training was a success and received positive feedback from students.

Given the success of remote learning during the pandemic, and the overwhelming preference for students to study virtually when given the choice between face-to-face and remote learning, Resource Group decided to deliver all Part 66 Instructor-Led courses via Zoom.

Resource Group invested £2.5m to create interactive, digital, Part 66 Self-Study courseware for A1, A3, B1.1, B1.3 and B2 licences. The courses enable students to study towards their Part 66 licence in their own time, at their own pace, reducing the need to take long periods away from work.

With input from industry experts and educational specialists to enhance students learning, the self-study courseware includes interactive scenarios, engaging video content, end-of-module knowledge checks with detailed reports to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, as well as timed mock assessments to simulate the Part 66 examination experience.