Manchester Airport Skills partnership wins Educate North Award

Image courtesy MAG

The Business Engagement Award celebrates the collaboration’s innovative and employer-led approach to developing aviation skills, creating employment opportunities and supporting workforce resilience across Manchester Airport’s operations.

The partnership, which has evolved over more than a decade, was recognised for delivering a scalable, place-based model that aligns education, recruitment and workforce planning with real-time employer demand. 

Since 2012, almost 2,000 learners have progressed into paid employment through the initiative, with many securing roles within weeks of completing training. 

Gareth Burrow, Director of Curriculum for Industry Partnerships and Skills at Trafford & Stockport College Group was a key driving force behind the partnership and took to the stage to receive the award. He said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this national recognition alongside our valued partners at MAG and other key strategic employers across Manchester airport. This award reflects years of collaborative working to create meaningful opportunities for local people whilst supporting one of the region’s most important employment hubs.

“The Manchester Airport Skills Hub is transforming the way education and industry work together. By listening directly to employers and responding quickly to workforce needs, we are creating clear pathways into careers and helping individuals develop long-term opportunities within aviation and related industries.”

Marcella M’Rabety, Head of Social Sustainability at MAG, added: “We’re proud of the role that Manchester Airport plays in serving the people of Greater Manchester and the wider North – and it does that not just by connecting people to the places they want to fly to, but also by creating jobs and giving people the opportunity to access rewarding and meaningful careers.

“This is a big year for us, with the completion of our decade-long, £1.3 billion transformation of Terminal 2 and an additional major investment in Terminal 3, so it’s a great time to be embarking on a career in aviation here at the North’s hub airport. We’re grateful to TSCG for their ongoing commitment to helping us bring those opportunities to talented people in our neighbouring communities.”

The Manchester Airport Skills Hub was formally launched in 2025, building on the success of the Airport Academy model and bringing together employers, civic leaders and education providers to tackle skills shortages across the airport’s operational footprint, which supports more than 20,000 jobs. 

Key initiatives delivered through the partnership include leadership and management programmes, engineering pathways, careers engagement activity and employer-led recruitment support. 

The programme has also developed a CEO-led Skills Advisory Board to ensure training provision remains aligned with live labour market intelligence and future workforce priorities. 

The judges praised the partnership for demonstrating measurable impact, strong employer collaboration and a commitment to inclusive growth across Greater Manchester.

The award win further strengthens Trafford and Stockport College Group’s reputation as a key provider of employer-responsive education and skills development, while highlighting the power of strategic partnerships in driving economic growth and social mobility.