Apprenticeships take-off once again at LJLA

Apprenticeships take-off once again at LJLA

As the aviation industry continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) sees more passengers and flights once again, the Airport Company is delighted to be able to announce the latest additions to its Apprenticeship Programme by recruiting a further three apprentices.

The Apprenticeship Programme is a key part of the Airport’s wider Community Programme that helps to make a difference to the lives of communities across the City Region and gives young local people the skills to develop a career at the Airport. By combining work at the airport alongside their college studies over the next four years, apprentices bring fresh ideas and new young talent into the business.

The three successful individuals were selected from a number of applicants keen to seek a career at the Airport. BSM Engineering Apprentice Luke Whitehead, aged 19, from Bootle and Airfield Ground Lighting Engineering Apprentice Jack Boyce, aged 16, from Aintree, will both be undertaking a Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Course at nearby Riverside College in Halton. In addition, Finance Apprentice Sean Hughes, aged 18, from Widnes, will be undertaking an Association of Accounting Technicians Course Level 2 with online specialist Kaplan.

The Airport has been a long-time advocate of apprenticeships, recognising the benefit to young people looking for their first step into the world of work and for the business in being able to nurture and develop high calibre employees. Many former apprentices have subsequently gone on to full time permanent positions and have developed successful careers at the Airport.

Riverside College in Halton were chosen because they are Ofsted Outstanding for Apprenticeships, have an excellent reputation for providing high quality courses and are an ideal fit for apprentices working at the airport.

The college was instrumental in helping to choose the two local engineering apprentices and will be providing ongoing support over the next four years of their studies.

Carol Dutton, Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s HR and Community Director commented, “After the challenges of the past 18 months, we are really excited about being able to restart our Apprenticeship programme and welcome our three new apprentices to the Airport.  

This important scheme is a fantastic opportunity and gives young people the skills to develop a career here at the Airport, whilst they in turn will no doubt bring fresh ideas and make an important contribution to Airport operations.”

Jayne Smith, Head of Skills and Enterprise at Riverside College said, “We are delighted to be working with such a prestigious employer in the Liverpool City Region to help them develop their future workforce, and to support the sector as it emerges from the pandemic stronger than ever.

“The Apprenticeship Programme is an ideal way to train employees by combining on and off the job training, and we are pleased to be supporting these new apprentices as they start their career journey at the Airport.”

Photo caption: (L to R) LJLA’s three new apprentices; Jack Boyce, Luke Whitehead and Sean Hughes.