Trafford & Stockport College Group is proud to celebrate the graduation of the first cohort of learners from it’s newly expanded Airport Academy programme.

While the Airport Academy has been supporting learners since 2012, a strengthened partnership with Manchester Airport has enabled an expansion of its offer to better support local jobseekers into careers in aviation.

The enhanced programme, which offers a comprehensive two-week introduction to the aviation industry, is designed specifically for people in Greater Manchester who have faced barriers to securing stable employment, including long-term unemployment and lack of formal qualifications.

Developed collaboratively by Trafford & Stockport College Group and Manchester Airports Group (MAG), and supported by the Department for Work and Pensions, the Airport Academy now provides targeted, accredited training in aviation and customer service, alongside vital employability skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, and situational training.

Gareth Burrow, Group Head of Employment & Skills at Trafford & Stockport College Group, said: “It is fantastic to see local residents gaining the skills and confidence needed to enter the world of work through this initiative. With guest speaker sessions, tailored job-matching, and real-world insights into airport operations, the Airport Academy is not just about finding a job – it’s about building sustainable careers.”

Among the 20 graduates from the latest cohort are individuals like Venus Yarahmady from Stockport, who had spent 10 years working as a community interpreter, and Abdul Pervez from Longsight, who had worked part-time as a matchday steward for a football club and was seeking a full-time career.

Venus said: “The airport seems like an interesting environment to work in, and I’ve learned a lot of new skills already over the course of the 10-day programme, both in terms of customer service and preparing for interview when applying for roles. It has really helped me increase my confidence.”

Abdul added: “I am fascinated by aviation in general but I’m particularly keen to take up a role in airport security because I think it fits well with my previous work experience in stewarding.

“The Airport Academy course has been a fantastic experience and has taught me a lot – everything from situational training and supporting passengers, down to interview techniques like the ‘STAR’ method. I feel like it has given me the skills I need to apply for the kinds of roles I am looking for.”

Marcella M’Rabety, Head of Social Sustainability at Manchester Airport, said:

“The Airport Academy is a key part of our commitment as an organisation to supporting our neighbouring communities and ensuring they share in the benefits of having a major international airport on their doorstep.

There is such a wide range of career options on offer here, and we’re pleased that this new course, delivered in partnership with Trafford & Stockport College Group, is now providing access to those opportunities for local people who have struggled to find stable full-time employment for a range of reasons.”

Mock interviews were conducted by recruitment teams from airport partners, including special assistance provider ABM, which supports passengers with restricted mobility.

David MacInnes, Feedback Coordinator at ABM, said: “This is a really positive programme to be a part of. One of the first things that struck me was the enthusiasm of the group – they’re all really keen to work here. The calibre of the candidates on the programme is really high, they’re raring to go and the fact they’ve had some exposure to the airport already means we know they can start contributing right away to providing a great service to our customers.”

Originally launched in 2012 to help existing airport colleagues gain qualifications, the Airport Academy has evolved significantly through its partnership with Trafford & Stockport College Group. It now delivers targeted employability programmes aligned with live recruitment needs and has supported nearly 2,000 candidates into paid work.

Gareth Burrow concluded:
“It is great to see so many residents benefiting from the invaluable training and careers advice that this programme offers, and we wish them every success in securing roles at Manchester Airport.”