BAA Heathrow’s second annual apprenticeship fair took place at the Heathrow Academy on 5th February 2009. The fair offered young people from local communities around Heathrow the chance to find out more about some of the apprenticeship opportunities provided by companies linked to the airport.The day-long event was promoted via local schools and Connexions careers counselling services. This partnership led to over 600 young people, parents and teachers from 32 schools and colleges within the five neighbouring boroughs of Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Slough and Spelthorne.

The Apprenticeship Fair is just one aspect of Heathrow’s local labour strategy, which aims to increase the proportion of airport staff living in these neighbouring boroughs to 50% by 2012.

 

Matt Gorman, BAA’s Corporate Responsibility Director, said: “Heathrow’s second apprenticeship fair has been a resounding success. Airport companies and many of the large suppliers who work at the airport have been very enthusiastic in their support, and it’s great to see so many local students representing a variety of schools and colleges. Many are here to see the great range of airport apprenticeships on offer. We hope the fair could be a great springboard to an exciting and diverse airport career for the young people who attended.”

 

Teachers from Harlington Community School praised the event as “a very successful visit which has enthused all of our students who attended”, whilst those from Stockley Academy said it was “an excellent fair that students found extremely useful.”

 

There were over 300 apprenticeships available at the fair in areas ranging from engineering and bricklaying to retail in high profile companies. All of the companies present said they are likely to recruit from the fair and all state that they would attend a similar event next year.
——-