More than 100 jobseekers have completed London Gatwick’s Aviation Academy since the programme launched in February 2026, with participants gaining aviation qualifications and direct access to job opportunities across the airport.
In its first six months, 110 people completed the Academy’s 10-day course, which provides a Level 1 Introduction to Aviation qualification and guarantees participants an interview with an airport employer.
So far, 59 graduates have either secured employment or are waiting to start a new role. Among participants from Sussex and Surrey, the programme has achieved an employment rate of 70%, according to figures highlighted during a recent visit by UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden.
London Gatwick Aviation Academy Connects Jobseekers With Airport Employers
The Aviation Academy is delivered through a partnership between London Gatwick, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Crawley College, John Ruskin College and 12 employers operating across the airport.
The programme is designed to introduce jobseekers to the aviation industry while developing practical skills and confidence that can help them secure employment.
Participants receive an industry-focused qualification as well as a guaranteed interview with one of the participating airport employers, creating a direct pathway between training and potential employment.
Sam Fulton, Director of Communications and External Affairs at London Gatwick, said:
“The success of the Aviation Academy reflects London Gatwick’s central role in helping to bring together employers, education providers and government partners around a shared goal of developing skills and creating opportunity. By working collaboratively across the airport community, the programme helps address workforce needs and the long-term skills needs of the aviation sector, while opening doors for jobseekers across the region.”
More Than 100 Participants Complete Aviation Training in Six Months
Reaching 110 graduates within six months represents the first major milestone for the programme.
Beyond providing formal aviation training, the Academy is intended to introduce participants to career opportunities they may not previously have considered and prepare them for working within the airport environment.
Barry Cullen, Employment and Skills Lead at London Gatwick, said:
“Reaching more than 100 participants in just six months is a fantastic milestone and one we’re incredibly proud of.
“The Aviation Academy is about much more than qualifications – it’s about helping people build confidence, develop new skills and access opportunities they may never have considered before.
“Seeing participants progress into employment with employers across our airport community demonstrates the real value of the programme and the strength of the partnerships that make it possible.”
UK Government Highlights 70% Employment Rate
The programme’s results were highlighted during a visit to London Gatwick by Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who met Aviation Academy participants and apprentices.
The Academy operates as part of the government’s Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) model, which brings employers and training providers together to prepare unemployed people for vacancies in specific industries.
McFadden said:
“Partnerships like the Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) at the Gatwick Aviation Academy have shown what’s possible when government and employers work together.
“It’s clear that by giving people real work experience the chances of them moving into employment increases dramatically – with 70% of Sussex and Surrey participants now employed as a result of the Gatwick programme.
“That’s why we remain committed to expanding our SWAPs offer to reach people looking for work across the country, backed by our wider £2.5 billion youth support package over the next three years.”
Aviation Academy Graduates Move Into Airport Careers
The programme has already helped participants secure roles with companies operating at London Gatwick.
One graduate, Osatahamhen Odigie, now works as a Customer Service Advisor at Swissport after completing the Aviation Academy.
Odigie said:
“The Aviation Academy was a great opportunity. I was really excited by the airport environment and the range of opportunities available, and the programme gave me the confidence to decide what I wanted to do as a future career.
“I deepened my knowledge, developed customer service skills and met lots of new people, some of whom I now work alongside at Swissport. The qualification covered many aspects of aviation and has been extremely useful in my day-to-day role.
“The programme has helped me get to where I am now and I would encourage anyone who is unsure about their next step to give it a try – you never know where the journey could take you.”
Aviation Sector Looks to Build Future Workforce
Alongside supporting people looking for work, the Aviation Academy is intended to help London Gatwick and companies based at the airport develop a pipeline of potential employees.
The model brings recruitment and training closer together, allowing employers to engage with candidates who have already received an introduction to the aviation industry before attending an interview.
Abbe Waterman, National Aviation Academy Lead at the Department for Work and Pensions, said:
“Aviation Academies have played a pivotal role in supporting unemployed people into sustainable employment within the aviation sector.
“Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the transformative impact of the programme. Previous attendees have described the experience as ‘life-changing’, stating that ‘I have a purpose now’ and that ‘the support from the programme has allowed me to rebuild my life.’ These testimonials demonstrate the significant difference Aviation Academies continue to make in helping individuals overcome barriers to employment and achieve positive life outcomes.”
With 110 people completing the programme during its first six months, London Gatwick’s Aviation Academy is now providing both a recruitment route for airport employers and a pathway into aviation careers for jobseekers across Sussex, Surrey and Croydon.
