STOCKPORT College and Manchester Airport’s Young Persons’ Academy students met with MP Matthew Hancock when he visited their bespoke training centre at the Enterprise Centre in Wythenshawe.
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock spoke to the students and met with Commercial Director Debbie Fennell and the College’s Principal Stephen Carlisle at the Young Person’s Academy in Wythenshawe where the College’s tutors are based.
Launched by Manchester Airport Group, the Young Person’s Academy provides a programme for unemployed 16-19 year olds designed to provide the work skills and experience needed to have the best possible chance of gaining paid employment.
Left to right: Stephen Carlisle, Debbie Fennell and MP Matthew Hancock
Mr Hancock stressed:
“By giving businesses the chance to shape and set their own training agenda, we’re giving them the power to enrich their workforce with the skills needed for their future success.”
All the training is designed for the airport environment, making it one of the first projects of its kind in the world.
Anyone aged between 16 and 19 can apply for a place through their local job centre, Connexions or directly through the centre, providing they live in the area and are not currently in learning or work.
Commenting after Mr Hancock’s visit, Debbie Fennell said:
“This is a great way for students to develop the work skills and experience they will need to gain a job at the airport. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the views of the Skills Minister about encouraging our future workforce.”
Manchester Airport‘s project is part of a government incentive, the Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot, which aims to boost innovation and skills and access to apprenticeships.
As well as supporting businesses and giving them the confidence to invest and grow, the Employer Ownership Pilot will create life changing opportunities for thousands of young people.