APPRENTICESHIPS
Career opportunities soar with Belfast City Airport Apprenticeship scheme ince its launch in 2014, George Best Belfast City Airport’ s‘ High Flyers’
SApprenticeship scheme has gone from strength to strength, with a 100 per cent employment rate for all participants.
Created to provide young people from across greater Belfast and North Down with the opportunity to gain valuable workplace skills, the scheme provides work experience for 16 to 24yearolds.
By partnering with local training providers, the airport’ s Apprenticeship scheme offers participants a workbased learning placement of up to two years in a vast range of disciplines, including Human Resources, Customer Service, Catering, Hospitality, and the airport’ s Fire Service.
Michelle Hatfield, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Responsibility at George Best Belfast City Airport said:“ At Belfast City Airport, we have a dedicated Community Commitment Plan, which focuses on People, Environment, Education and Community, and in particular on young people in greater Belfast and North Down.
“ In 2014, we launched the High Flyers Apprenticeship scheme in response to the growing issue of youth unemployment, where many young people experienced difficulty getting on to the employment ladder. It’ s still an issue that affects our young people today.
“ The scheme gives young people an opportunity to experience the daytoday operations within an airport, and there are so many roles to choose from. Not only can participants gain a variety of transferable skills as well as jobspecific skills, but they can maintain income while they work towards a nationally recognised qualification( NVQ).”
As one of the biggest employers in east Belfast, the airport understands the importance of building strong and sustainable partnerships within its local community. Collaborating with the likes of Workforce Training Services not only provides a new experience for young people, but motivates and inspires others to try something different and kickstart their career.
High Flyers also provides participants with assistance in CV writing, job applications, interview techniques and a first aid qualification.
Michelle continued:“ At the airport, we are committed to supporting and investing in young people in order to give them every opportunity available to succeed.
“ Our High Flyers Apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic platform through which to provide an invaluable experience and kickstart the careers of our young people, as well as providing a reallife insight into a career.
“ We have had apprentices in a range of
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‘ High Flyers’ Neal Rice and Tara McGuiness at the airport fire station during their apprenticeship
different positions, from Administrative Assistants to Firefighters to Hospitality, amongst many more. There are so many roles and opportunities available at the airport, there really is something for everyone. Alongside their daytoday operations, apprentices have the chance to learn vital career and development skills.”
A number of the apprentices are now in full time employment, following the varied experiences offered throughout the airport’ s scheme.
Tara McGuiness joined the programme as an Administration Assistant, and found working at the airport to be extremely exciting.
Tara said:“ The entire team in the airport was so helpful in showing me how to best expand my skillset, which gave my confidence a massive boost and enabled me to carry out the wide range of responsibilities in my role.
“ I gained a wealth of experience in various aspects of administration, and I’ m so grateful to Belfast City Airport for giving me the unique experience of working with a fantastic team in such a thriving environment.”
Neal Rice achieved a childhood dream by training as an onsite firefighter at the airport. He beat off tough competition for the coveted spot, which resulted in full time employment at the Fire Department.
Neal said:“ I’ m thrilled that Belfast City Airport took me under its wing for this amazing opportunity, particularly as employment opportunities across the fire service are so few and far between.
“ Working as a firefighter has always been a dream of mine and I would like to thank Belfast City Airport and Springvale Employment and Learning for making it a reality through their ongoing apprenticeship partnership.”
Earlier this year, Belfast City Airport won a hattrick of Corporate Responsibility Awards, including Business in the Community’ s Responsible Company of the Year and the Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards’ Right Place to Work accolade.
Michelle added:“ The airport has a strong ethos and focus on our Community Commitment Plan, which is embedded in operations across the business and which all of our staff take great pride in.
“ We are delighted with the success of the scheme to date 100 per cent of our apprenticeship applicants have received fulltime employment upon completion.
“ We strongly encourage any young people who have an interest in developing their personal and professional skills to sign up for the High Flyers scheme.”
If you, or someone you know, between the ages of 16 and 24 would be interested in the scheme, visit www. belfastcityairport. com for more information.
MOREINFORMATION
More information about the George Best Belfast City Airport High Flyers Apprenticeship Scheme can be found at www. belfastcityairport. com
The airport can also be contacted through Facebook and Twitter- @ BelfastCity _ Air