Manchester Airport and Trafford & Stockport College Group enhance aviation programme

Trafford & Stockport College Group (TSCG) and Manchester Airports Group (MAG) have come together to enhance the college’s Aviation Operations programme with more industry engagement, employer-led activities and hands-on work experience.

The enhanced MAG-endorsed Aviation Operations programme was showcased at a special event at Trafford & Stockport College Group, attended by industry leaders, partners, staff and students. The programme gives learners a behind-the-scenes look at airport operations, alongside work placements and opportunities to explore careers in the industry. Closer collaboration with Manchester Airport brings further insight directly into the classroom, ensuring learners gain relevant skills, knowledge and experiences.

Delivered through the two organisations’ Manchester Airport Skills Hub partnership, the programme is part of the newly launched Airport Futures initiative, helping learners explore the many career opportunities available at Manchester Airport and beyond. The Skills Hub partnership aims to engage with at least 150 young people during the 2026/27 academic year across aviation, engineering, digital, hospitality and other curriculum areas.

More generally, the programme forms part of the Manchester Airport Skills Hub’s ambition to build a strong future talent pipeline for the aviation industry. By working together to shape and enhance the curriculum, TSCG, MAG and other airport employers are ensuring learners benefit from industry expertise, meaningful employer engagement, workplace experiences and clear pathways into careers across the airport and wider aviation sector.

Available from Level 1 to Level 3, the programme has been enhanced through employer collaboration to give learners the experience and skills they need to pursue careers in operations at the airport, air traffic control, cargo and dispatch, and management.

Tracey Wood, Chief Commercial Officer at TSCG, said:

“At Trafford & Stockport College Group, we are passionate about creating impactful opportunities that help our learners succeed and develop the future talent our employers need.

“This enhanced Aviation Operations programme, delivered in partnership with Manchester Airports Group, is an exciting next step in the growth of the Manchester Airport Skills Hub, building on the strong foundations already established through our collaboration.

“By working closely with industry, we are creating relevant programmes that are designed with employers, for employers — connecting learners with industry expertise, hands-on experience and clear pathways into employment. It is about making sure our curriculum keeps pace with the needs of the sector, while giving our students the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive and helping employers develop the workforce they need for the future.”

The launch of the new programme and MAG-branded department coincides with today’s publication of the airport group’s annual Sustainability Report. MAG, which also owns and operates East Midlands and London Stansted airports, has reaffirmed itself as an industry leader in its support of skills and employment initiatives – and the report reveals it has supported more than 6,000 young people with their education across FY26.

Last year’s launch of the Skills Hub, in partnership with TSCG, is part of a five-year sustainability strategy that aims to create an industry-led talent pipeline that supports the future of aviation in the North. The strategy also aims to reach school-aged children, with more than 12,000 local school pupils to be welcomed to the airport’s on-site AeroZone education centre in the five-year reporting period.

In addition to education and skills, the Sustainability Report also shows that Manchester Airport is excelling in areas like environmental sustainability – with 100% of its waste diverted from landfill for the first time and 25% reused or recycled, along with a 2.5% year-on-year reduction in aircraft emissions – in addition to facilitating more than £30m of contracts for local small and medium-sized businesses through its Meet the Buyers events and donating more than £120,000 to good causes through its Community Trust Fund.

MAG CEO, Ken O’Toole, said:

“Aviation offers a broad range of careers, but it is important that young people can see those opportunities from an early age, and develop the skills and experience needed to access them. This programme is a great example of how we’re working with education partners to create clear pathways into employment.

“As a major employer across the North, Midlands and South, MAG has a significant role to play in providing skills and employment opportunities that allow surrounding communities to thrive.

“The progress set out in our annual Sustainability Report demonstrates the positive impact our approach is having on real people across the country, alongside developments to achieve our decarbonisation target of net zero carbon operations by 2038, and in our approach to targeted and effective community engagement.

“Creating a pipeline of future talent for our industry is vital to its future success, and MAG is playing a significant role – working together with Government, regulators and industry partners – to deliver that.”