Apprenticeships investment hits £3 million at Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport has revealed it has invested £3 million in its apprenticeship programme since 2017, as the hub marks National Apprenticeship Week (10-16th February).

More than 440 apprentices have joined the airport since it adopted its current scheme in 2017 and more than 100 apprentices are currently enrolled, in fields as varied as engineering, aviation operations, firefighting and data analytics. The programme is delivered in partnership with a number of universities and further education institutions, which provide teaching components on the 23 Apprenticeship Standards currently offered at Manchester Airport.

Those taking part in schemes have described their apprenticeships at Manchester Airport as ‘a great opportunity’ to build an exciting career in the aviation industry.

Manchester Airport’s Aerodrome and Landside Director, Rad Taylor (pictured), started his career at Manchester Airport in 1992 as a trainee in the Finance team. Alongside studying, his role involved working with various airport departments on their expenditure and budgets, drafting reports and administering the accounting system. He said:

“I always had an ambition to work at the airport, particularly on the airfield. My traineeship and my subsequent roles helped me develop a broad range of skills and insights for a successful career in aviation.

“One of the first big projects I worked on was a public consultation into plans for the airport’s second runway – a facility I’m now responsible for – and I worked with the Planning & Environment team to ensure the operations of the airport were conducted with our local communities in mind. I was then successful in securing a role with the Airfield Operations team and held a number of operational and management roles within that team before taking up my current post.

“As a former trainee myself, I know the value that on-the-job learning can offer to young people at the start of their careers and we offer such a wide range of apprenticeships here, from practical roles in the airport operation, to office-based positions. It has been a privilege to see a number of apprentices develop successful careers in our Airport Fire Service, for example, and joining our Airfield Operations team as they start their careers at Manchester Airport. It is great to be able to share my own experiences of developing a career in aviation and at MAG with our apprentices. 

“If you’re considering taking an apprenticeship with MAG, or a career in aviation more generally, my advice to you would be to seize the opportunity, have a learning mindset and a strong focus on your personal development – and the world is your oyster!”

Further information on the airport’s apprenticeship programme can be found on the Manchester Airport website.