London Biggin Hill Airport has kick-started 2019 by welcoming five new apprentices. The move demonstrates the airport’s commitment to supporting the local community through local education, outreach and training that will support ongoing growth at the airport.
The business aviation airport experienced record growth in 2018, with Robert Walters, Biggin Hill’s business development director, saying: “Following significant investment in recent years, we have had an extraordinarily successful 2018 and finished the year on a particularly strong note.”
Referencing plans for the coming year, he added: “We have a number of projects coming to fruition during 2019 and we are thrilled to be starting the year on such a positive note.”
Sebastian Marchant, one of the new apprentices, said: “I’ve always had an interest in aviation, and I’ve wanted to work at London Biggin Hill since I visited their airshows as a child. My family are so excited as they know the airport is growing and that I can be part of that development.”
The new apprentices will assist with the daily operation of the hangar and ramp, moving aircraft and supporting customers. Learning their craft, they’ll work side by side with experienced mentors.
Another initiative being launched by the airport this year is Unite to Inspire – which has been designed to encourage young people to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, in order to prepare them for becoming the next generation of aviation professionals.
The scheme aims to bring together the airport’s thriving business community of 70 resident aviation companies (which includes the likes of Bombardier, Textron and helicopter specialists Castle Air) to motivate students by demonstrating how a STEM career path can lead to a range of jobs within the aerospace sector.
