LEARNING TAKES OFF AT BLACKPOOL AIRPORT

A NEW learning zone at Blackpool International is helping staff discover new horizons.

In a joint funding initiative, Blackpool International and the Unite union celebrated the official opening of facilities located on site to help airport staff become life long learners. Timed to coincide with Adult Learners Week (May 15th-21st), VIPs gathered for the official ribbon cutting ceremony and presentations were also made to five members of airport staff who have already gained NVQ qualifications in aviation operations. Clive Coleman, Development & Commercial Director for Regional and City Airports said: “It was a pleasure to open the new facilities at Blackpool International. This is a great asset for the airport and for the people who work here. This new learning facility gives them the opportunity to up-skill and become life long learners. We hope many members of airport staff will benefit from the new learning centre.” Dean Briody, Union Learning Organiser for Unite, is currently liaising with staff at the airport to find out their learning preferences. He said: “We have been working with the airport’s training department for the last 18 months to create this new facility and it’s great to see it open for the benefit of staff at Blackpool International. “We’re also working with local colleges to deliver the courses people want which ultimately will give them the confidence to progress and be life long learners. I want to make sure that as many people as possible benefit.” VIPs included Blackpool Councillor John Jones and staff from Blackpool and the Fylde College which has already been working with the airport to help staff gain qualifications. Steve Berry, Lecturer in Aviation at the School of Engineering at Blackpool and the Fylde College, presented five members of airport staff with certificates for attaining Level 2 NVQs in Providing Aviation Operations on the Ground. These included: Lee Howick, Dean Cooper, Robert McPhillimy, Glen Neil McPhee and David Da Silva Grave. Dean Cooper, aged 46, has been working at the airport for the last five years and is currently based in the operations department. He said: “I am really pleased to receive this qualification - it’s great to have recognition for our skills in the aviation industry.” Airport employee Joanne Johnson has been working at Blackpool International for more than 18 years and has also started an NVQ in aviation operations. She said: “This new learning facility is great for everyone at the airport and because it is located on site, it makes it easier for us to be committed to learning - we can fit studies in and around shift patterns and during work time!” Notes to Editors • Blackpool International is 95% owned by Balfour Beatty through Regional & City Airports (Blackpool) Ltd, with the remaining 5% owned by Blackpool Borough Council. RCA acquired their interest in the airport on 8th May 2008. • Blackpool International Airport’s airlines include: Aer Lingus, Jet2.com and Manx2.com flying scheduled routes to Alicante, Belfast, Dublin, Faro, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malaga, Murcia, Palma, Tenerife.

Tags: