Heathrow businesses pledge over 400 new apprenticeships

LONDON, England – Heathrow businesses yesterday recognized the valuable contribution of its apprentices with pledges to create over 400 new apprenticeships during 2016.

The pledges came from some of the 400 businesses which work in and around the airport, including members of the Heathrow Sustainability Partnership, at an event hosted by Heathrow Academy to mark National Apprenticeship Week. Businesses making a pledge include Heathrow Airport Limited, World Duty Free, Balfour Beatty and Ferrovial Agroman.

Since 2004, the Heathrow Academy has placed over 1,500 people into apprenticeships, including 82 that graduated last year. Heathrow Airport has invested more than £4 million in the growth of the Academy and has ambitious plans for its future. Should Heathrow expansion go ahead, the airport has promised to offer 10,000 apprenticeships over the course of the project.

Over 75,000 people are employed at Heathrow, and the airport accounts for one in five jobs (22%) in Slough, Spelthorne, Hounslow, Hillingdon and Ealing. In the 11 years since the Academy was established, over 5,000 local residents – from school leaving age upwards – have been placed into further training opportunities and more than 3,000 have been employed at the airport.

Speaking at the event, Heathrow CEO, John Holland-Kaye, said:

“We want Heathrow to be a great place to work, which attracts the most talented people from the local area and allows them to fulfil their potential – an environment where one of the children in a local school today can one day do my job. The Heathrow Academy plays a vital role in giving them the best start to their careers at the airport.”

The event at Heathrow Academy heard about the experiences of three apprentices from the local area:

Valentina Panoiu, who is 24-years-old and from Hounslow. She works for JD Wetherspoon at The Flying Chariot in Terminal 2. She completed a Customer Service and Team Leader apprenticeship and is just starting her Hospitality Supervision and Leadership Advanced apprenticeship.

Scott Berry, who is 25-years-old and from Slough. He works for World Duty Free at Terminal 5. He completed a Team Leader Apprenticeship and is now doing a Management Advanced apprenticeship.

Rolando Colaco, who is 39-years-old andfrom Hillingdon. He works for OmniServ. He completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Management.