Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s Number One Domestic carrier, has recognised two of its key training and skills stakeholders, GoSkills and City & Guilds, by unveiling their logos on the airline’s distinctive ‘green’ Bombardier Q400 aircraft.  It is expected that their prominence will promote the importance of employers investing in the training and education of their staff so that the workforce of the future is the very best it can be.

The unveiling at Southampton International Airport was attended by Minister of State for Transport, Theresa Villiers; Flybe’s Director Training Academy, Andrew Rosser; City & Guilds Group Marketing Director, Nick Bradley and GoSkills CEO, Neil Stokell.

Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers said: “I was delighted to be invited to Southampton to help celebrate the success of this collaboration between Flybe, GoSkills and City & Guilds.  Ensuring staff are equipped with the necessary skills is a key part of this Government’s commitment to delivering economic growth.  This aircraft will act as a clear reminder of the importance of investing in training and development and I wish this important partnership all the best for the future.”

Responding to the Minister’s comments, Flybe’s Andrew Rosser added: “We are honoured that the Minister agreed to join us for this very special occasion and delighted to recognise our skills partners by featuring their logos on the side of this particular aircraft. Flybe is proud of its track record with respect to its ongoing commitment to training and skills development that began four years ago when we were one of the original 150 companies – and the only airline – to sign up to the Skills Pledge.”

Flybe, a member of GoSkills, has worked with this Sector Skills Council for passenger transport since early 2007 on numerous projects that includes a successful ‘customer journey’ project which maps out the industry’s skills’ requirements. GoSkills has also supported the development of Flybe’s new Training Academy which is due to open next month.

Flybe has been working with City & Guilds for three years through the delivery of qualifications.  The parties have today formalised their working relationship by committing to a partnership agreement through which City & Guilds has become the airline’s principal awarding organisation for vocational qualifications. This new working relationship will move forward with a more strategic focus that will incorporate jointly beneficial projects based around the development of new qualifications for the industry.

City & Guilds Group Marketing Director, Nick Bradley, commented: “It is an honour to be named as Flybe’s preferred partner and to have our logo featured on their ‘green’ plane. It highlights our firm commitment to accessible, innovative, green and sustainable skills. By working with Flybe to deliver bespoke qualifications we can ensure all of their training needs are met in this ever-evolving industry.  Interim Chief Executive of GoSkills, Nick Stockell, added: “Having our logo on this aircraft is excellent news and gives recognition to the importance of skills development as well as the real benefits in partnering with the development of the skills agenda. Flybe has made an enormous contribution to skills mapping for aviation, helping to lay the groundwork for a new relentless focus on the passenger in a way which is being well received by the industry.”

Mr Rosser stressed in conclusion that Flybe is a business that sets and achieves high standards within a necessarily highly regulated industry that relies heavily on having access to a continual supply of highly skilled workers.  “This is why our focus is on quality training and why today is so important. It is Flybe’s way of supporting both City & Guilds and GoSkills in spreading the word of the many benefits to be gained from developing comprehensive training schemes for employees. We hope that it will excite and encourage other companies to adopt similar initiatives.”