Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has launched a major drive to create the next generation of aviation talent.

From primary school pupils to PhD students, the new MAG Connect initiative is intended to educate and inspire people of all ages about the range of opportunities a career in aviation can offer.

MAG, which is the UK’s largest group of airports, operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. The Group’s network of education and employment facilitates includes its Aerozones for school-aged children, its Academies for job seekers and Stansted Airport College –the only on-site further education facility at a UK airport.

Over the next 12 months, the MAG Connect initiative 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; and continue to provide free fully accredited pre-employment training programmes aimed at job seekers and free upskilling training programmes for existing workforce. The airport group has also committed to organising multiple on-site jobs fairs to enable local job seekers to connect with on-site employers and secure roles at its airports; launching writing competitions for Key Stage 2 and 3 students; and organising a series of events focused on breaking down barriers and encouraging more female students to take up STEM roles.

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

“By illustrating the breadth of opportunities in our industry to young people, and by supporting and upskilling job seekers into exciting career paths, the aviation sector stands to benefit from a new cohort of passionate professionals for the future,” said Neil Robinson, CSR director at MAG.

Image: MAG