Trafford and Stockport College Group

The pandemic has had severe consequences for the aviation sector, creating significant skills shortages and economic inactivity. However, things at the Manchester Airport Group (MAG) are looking up, thanks to the Airport Academy.

A collaboration between the Manchester Airport Group and the Trafford and Stockport College Group (TSCG), the academy launched in 2012, offering sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs) to equip jobseekers with skills needed for airport employment.

However, post-Covid, the academy aligned with the government’s generation aviation initiative to restore airport operations and create pathways for local communities facing socio-economic challenge into meaningful employment.

By offering targeted training and skills development, the academy helps participants gain the qualifications and confidence needed to secure employment at the airport. Courses include the Level 4 aviation management apprenticeship and Level 3 team leader apprenticeship to meet MAG’s needs. Adults aged 19 and over in Greater Manchester’s disadvantaged communities have been a particular target, and key initiatives to attract them have included bi-annual MAG jobs fairs, community information sessions, and ongoing engagement with job centres.

There are five full-time staff working for the Airport Academy and in 2023/24, they supported nearly 2,000 individuals, achieved a 99% success rate and secured 314 job placements, a 40% increase from the previous year.