A signing ceremony between Shanxi Sports Bureau, Datong government and Beijing Guanghuijintong Education and Technology Co takes place in Datong, Shanxi province, Nov 18. [Photo/people.com.cn]

Shanxi Sports Bureau, Datong government and Beijing Guanghuijintong Education and Technology Co are working together on the construction of Shanxi Aviation Vocational College, according to an agreement signed in Datong, Shanxi province, on Nov 18.

In September, Shanxi provincial government released a plan to develop the province's aviation industry, with the goal of building Shanxi into a pilot platform for the national aviation industry.

With a solid aviation industrial base, Shanxi has made significant progress in airport construction, training and aviation services. The establishment of Shanxi Aviation Vocational College is a move to develop new models for training and attracting aviation professionals, spurring local industrial transformation, said Zhao Xiaochun, director of Shanxi Sports Bureau.

The college, which will cover 37.08 hectares in the south of Xiaquan village, Datong county, Datong city, is to be a full-time vocational higher education college. Construction on the new training center started in September, with teaching buildings, office buildings, a library, and a gym currently under construction.

"The school will enroll students next September," said Wu Hongwen, mayor of Datong.

"Developing aviation is a vital part of Datong’s efforts to further opening up," he added.

Once completed, the aviation vocational college will offer majors in flight training, the maintenance of aviation electromechanical and electronic equipment, general aviation crew and logistics management, and airport operations and management, with a plan to enroll 6,000 students and offer training to 2,000 members of the public.