Manchester Airport launches programme to develop the next generation of aviation professionals

Manchester Airport has announced the launch of the MAG Connect programme to help create the next generation of aviation talent.

The new scheme hopes to inspire people of all ages – from primary school pupils to PhD students – about the range of opportunities a career in aviation can offer.

A network of education and employment facilities will be used to deliver the programme in Manchester, including the Aerozone centre for school-aged children which launched earlier this year, and the Airport Academy, which helps jobseekers develop their skills and access job opportunities at the airport.

The initiative will be replicated across other airports owned by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which is the UK’s largest independent airport operator, and also runs London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. The launch of MAG Connect coincides with the announcement of the Department for Transport’s ‘Generation Aviation’ scheme, a government commitment to develop skills in the aviation sector.

The programme was announced at an Airport Academy Open Day on 31st October, with a variety of employers based on site at Manchester Airport giving talks to jobseekers referred from JobCentre Plus, before conducting a Q&A session and a terminal tour.

Over the next 12 months, across the three airports it covers, the MAG Connect scheme will:

• Support the education of around 12,000 young people, welcoming them to visit its Aerozone facilities
• Introduce a new Jet Zero curriculum focused on decarbonisation throughout its Aerozones by next September
• Continue to provide free fully accredited pre-employment training programmes aimed at jobseekers and free upskilling training programmes for existing workforces
• Organise multiple on-site jobs fairs to enable local jobseekers to connect with on-site employers and secure roles at MAG’s airports
• Launch writing competitions for Key Stage 2 and 3 students at schools around MAG airports to feature in a ‘Little Book of Travel Tales’
• Organise a series of focused events to break down barriers and encourage more female students to take up STEM roles.

The Programme’s longer-term goals include supporting 60,000 young people through MAG airports’ Aerozones, and a minimum of 7,500 job seekers through its Airport Academies, by 2025.

Neil Robinson, MAG’s CSR Director, said:

“MAG Connect is a clear demonstration of our commitment to inspiring the next generation of aviation talent.

“By illustrating the breadth of opportunities in our industry to young people, and by supporting and upskilling jobseekers into exciting career paths, the aviation sector stands to benefit from a new cohort of passionate professionals for the future.

“MAG Connect will play a crucial role in supporting the Government’s Generation Aviation scheme, and we will continue to work closely with Ministers to maximise that support.”

Photo: Gareth Burrow of the Airport Academy speaking to jobseekers.