Airbus Group’s top management today broke ground for the construction of the main campus for its new multi-site Leadership University, in the presence of Jean-Luc Moudenc, Mayor of Toulouse and Bernard Keller, Mayor of Blagnac. Leaders from across the Group, from all functions and at all levels will have access to a broad portfolio of development programmes, courses, conferences and events provided by the University in both physical and digital formats to enhance their leadership skills.

The Leadership University’s main campus will be located near the Airbus production facility in Blagnac, outside Toulouse, and is scheduled to open its doors in the autumn of 2016. Further physical hubs located close to the Group’s sites across Europe and internationally will give leaders the same development opportunities wherever they are based. The main hubs will be in Germany (Munich and Hamburg), Spain (Madrid), France (Marignane and Paris), the U.K., the U.S. and Asia. Development solutions will also be available through the University’s online ‘digital’ campus.

About Airbus Group

Airbus Group is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2014, the Group – comprising Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space and Airbus Helicopters – generated revenues of € 60.7 billion and employed a workforce of around 138,600.

“Leadership development is fundamental to the company’s success. The Airbus Group Leadership University will help all current and future leaders develop, learn, collaborate, innovate and inspire their teams to progress further,” said Thierry Baril, Airbus Group Chief Human Resources Officer. “The University will further strengthen the Group’s approach to leadership and harmonise it across all divisions and subsidiaries, offering equivalent opportunities for all leaders at all levels,” he added.

The University will constantly research and develop state-of-the-art solutions, both for individuals and teams. These include modular programmes, blended learning, coaching, self-taught solutions, conferences, team workshops, mentoring and think tanks. Partnerships with other companies and universities will ensure that leaders stay connected with latest business practices.

The University will also closely link leadership and innovation, involving entrepreneurs and start-ups in the development of its leaders. Where relevant, the University’s hubs will be located close to the Group’s innovation centres.

The Leadership University’s flagship campus in Blagnac will involve an investment of around € 26 million and will encompass 13,000 square metres, partly funded by the sale of Airbus Group’s former training campus in Villepreux, near Bordeaux and the sale of the land and building of the Airbus Group subsidiary AirBusiness Academy, currently located in Blagnac. It will be built on a site covering more than four hectares of land.

Over 100 people will eventually work on the campus, which will include a reception area, a conference centre, the University itself, an administrative building as well as a residential building accommodating some 140 rooms.

Following an international bidding process, the architecture firm Valode & Pistre was selected for the project. To comply with modern environmental standards, the building should be certified “excellent” according to the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, a first for Airbus Group.

    Tom Enders Thierry Baril and Jane Basson - construction of Leadership University
    Airbus Leadership University - rendering

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    Martin Agüera

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    Summary

    • University to provide state-of-the-art development programmes and training for Group’s 17,000 leaders
    • Main campus to be built opposite Airbus A380 Final Assembly in Blagnac, opening 2016

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