MAG champions business-led skills programmes to tackle youth unemployment and strengthen UK aviation workforce

• UKs largest airports group brought together Government, industry and education as a reception in Parliament yesterday
• Minister for Employment the Rt. Hon Dame Diana Johnson MP spoke at the event – welcoming the positive impact MAG’s initiatives
• MAG’s skills and education programme supported more than 52,000 job seekers in the last five years

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is backing the Government’s call for business-led skills and employment programmes to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). 

MAG – the UK’s largest airports group – supported more than 350 NEET students in the last year through its pre-employment programme – with almost half securing employment. The Group showcased how its skills and employment programme was tackling the issue at a reception it hosted in Parliament yesterday.

 This followed the publication of the Milburn review, which identified that nearly 1m young people aged 16-24 are NEET - pointing to a ‘systemic failure’ which could cost up to £125bn annually.

Speaking to MPs and senior representatives from the Department for Transport, Department for Education, Department for Work and Pensions and HM Treasury, MAG showcased how it is creating a pipeline of future talent for the aviation sector – having supported more than 52,000 job seekers since 2020.

 It said that collaboration with Government and education providers, long-term investment, and clear pathways into employment will be critical as the sector continues to grow and demand for skilled workers increases.

 At the event, attendees heard from the Rt Hon. Dame Diana Johnson MP, Minister for Employment who spoke about the positive impact MAG’s partnership with her department was having on getting young people into employment across the North, Midlands and South and how the Group is a leader in employer-led solution to tackling NEETs.

 MAG's on-site Airport Academies work directly with DWP, and train around 900 jobseekers a year, preparing them for live vacancies. The sector-based pre-employment programme sees around 50% of participants move into employment, outperforming national employment outcomes typically achieved through comparable pre-employment support programmes.

 Bringing MAG’s programmes to life, MPs had the opportunity to speak to current students and successful job seekers about their experiences. Lewis, Imogen and Jamie, were introduced to the sector through the Aerozone at Manchester Airport and have now gone on to full-time roles. Harry, Daniel and Olly all attend Stansted Airport College, taking vocational courses with the hope of going into employment on the airport campus, or continuing their aviation studies at University.

At the centre of MAG’s trailblazing approach to education and skills is Stansted Airport College – the UK’s only aviation dedicated further education facility based at an airport – delivered in partnership with Harlow College. The College provides more than 500 students a year with direct access to aviation-focused training and employment opportunities. In 2024/25 more than 98% -College graduates went directly into sector employment or further study.

 Owing to high demand, MAG outlined its plans to expand the College - increasing the Group’s capacity to train more NEET students and play a full role in tackling future worklessness. The proposed expansion has the support of Essex County Council, MAG and Harlow College. With the planned expansion, the College would unlock the potential of thousands of young people who want to access training linked directly to employment opportunities in the aviation sector.

 With its proven long-term success, MAG has set ambitious targets, as part of its Sustainability Strategy: Creating sustainable future for all - to scale-up the impact of its skills programme. By 2030 the Group will engage with at least 100,000 job seekers and support 70,000 young people through its education and employment initiatives.

 Emma Crossland, MAG Chief People Officer, said:

“The aviation sector needs a strong pipeline of skilled people to support its future growth.

 “As the UKs largest airports group and a major employer in the regions we serve – we understand the critical role business-led employment support can play in creating opportunities and help people develop their skills into long and successful careers in our sector.

 “The Milburn Review shone a spotlight on the scale of the challenge facing the UK – and now we need to seize this moment to engage our young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)

 “Through our Airport Academies, Aerozones, Manchester Airport Skills Hub and Stansted Airport College, we are already successfully creating clear pathways into employment and helping young people develop the skills and confidence they need thrive in aviation careers.

 “Over the past year alone, we supported more than 350 NEET young people through our pre-employment programmes, while our Airport Academies continue to achieve employment outcomes well above the national average.

 “The positive impact that our programmes are having has been driven by the strong partnerships we have forged across our industry, education and with Government.

“It is important that we continue to strengthen our skills offering with the support of our partners; and capitalise on the potential our initiatives can have on the future success of our sector and everyone who works in it.”

 The Minister for Employment, Dame Diana Johnson, said: 

"Our mission is to Get Britain Working, and that means providing young people with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. 

 "But government cannot do this alone and I am delighted to have the support of Manchester Airports Group, which is providing real opportunities for hundreds of young people with a genuine pathway into rewarding careers.

 "By working together, we can ensure the next generation has the skills, the confidence and the opportunities to succeed."

 Karen Spencer, Principle and CEO of Harlow College said:

“Stansted Airport College gives young people a clear line of sight to the workplace. By bringing education and industry together on one airport campus, students can see exactly where their learning can take them and the careers that are available to them.

 “The success and continued growth of the College demonstrates the power of employer-led education. Through our partnership with MAG, we are creating opportunities for young people to develop the skills, confidence and experience that employers need, while helping to build the future workforce for a growing aviation sector.

 “As demand for aviation skills continues to increase, expanding Stansted Airport College will enable even more young people to access high-quality training linked directly to employment, helping them realise their ambitions while supporting the long-term growth of the industry.”

 Gemma Marsh, Deputy CEO of Skills England, said:
“At Skills England, we’re committed to working with – and learning from – organisations that are making a big difference in their sectors and local communities. Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is a great example of that.

 “The work they’ve been doing, alongside aviation industry partners, to identify skills gaps and help train jobseekers and young people into skilled roles is really impressive.

 “With the Alan Milburn interim report into young people and work putting the scale of the NEET challenge firmly in the spotlight, this new target of supporting 70,000 young people through the MAG skills programme by 2030 couldn’t be more important – or more welcome.”

 Yesterday’s reception forms part of MAG’s wider work with government, education providers and industry partners to support long-term investment in aviation skills and employment pathways.