News story: Transport apprenticeships celebrated ahead of A-level results day

Transport Minister John Hayes met with apprentices at Heathrow Employment & Skills Academy to mark A-level results day and to discuss the rewards of choosing a transport apprenticeship.

The minister met apprentices employed at the Heathrow Academy to find out about their work and what inspired them to choose apprenticeships.

Today (Thursday 17 August 2017) is A level results day, and young adults across the country will be considering the next steps in their careers. Apprentices at Heathrow Employment & Skills Academy highlighted the benefits of choosing an apprenticeship, such as on-the-job training, the opportunity to earn while you learn and the flexibility of tailoring qualifications to individual needs.

The Heathrow Employment & Skills Academy supports Heathrow-based employers as they recruit, train and develop candidates through apprenticeship schemes in aviation, business administration, engineering, ground handling, logistics and construction and other sectors.

Transport Minister John Hayes said:

What could be more exciting than playing a part in building Britain’s future? That is the golden opportunity for young people who make a career in transport their choice.

To meet apprentices who share that excitement and are enthusiastic about the skills they are gaining, is an inspiration.

Up to 35,000 apprenticeship opportunities are set to be created in road and rail in the next 5 years, and the proposed expansion of Heathrow has potential to create a further 10,000 apprenticeships across the country. Each apprenticeship will change lives and nourish life chances.

Today’s apprentices will build tomorrow’s vital transport infrastructure and I urge still more people to consider embarking on such exciting and rewarding careers.

Karima Khandker, Head of Heathrow Academy, said:

As the UK’s largest single site employer – with more than 76,500 people directly employed – apprentices are a critical part of Heathrow’s talent pipeline, bringing fresh ideas and innovative ways of working to ensure that the airport runs smoothly.

Our role at the Heathrow Employment & Skills Academy is to welcome and encourage local talent to join the airport and to provide them with the support they need to build long-term careers, not just a job.

This year, we have pledged a record-breaking 516 apprenticeships, sending a clear message that there is a place for everyone at the airport.

Explaining the rewards of an apprenticeship, Rachel said:

When leaving school I was never certain of what I wanted to do. I was driven to succeed and ready to work hard for it, but I just couldn’t find the right career path. I worked in various jobs but none of them really allowed me to build a career.

Two years ago I began working with the Heathrow Employment and Skills Academy and have now completed my Level 3 Management Apprenticeship. The on the job qualification was tailored to my role so I was able to utilise my skills straight away. I quickly felt a real sense of achievement and career direction. I’m now looking forward to receiving my certificate in November and continuing to develop my career with the airport.

The cross-industry Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce, set up in 2016, will create more apprenticeships, improve diversity of the sector and promote transport careers. More than 2,000 new apprenticeships have already been created in the first year of the taskforce.