MP for Newcastle North, Catherine McKinnell, travelled to Newcastle International Airport last week to learn more about skills and training in her constituency.

Catherine’s visit took place as part of her Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) Fellowship exploring the opportunities and challenges facing local employers. Newcastle Airport is the largest airport in the North East and a significant jobs generator for the region, supporting 3,200 jobs on site. The airport provides significant benefits to the local area with a direct contribution of £581 million.

During her visit, the Newcastle North MP went airside and talked with Nat Clark, Senior Traffic Engineer. They discussed the technical training and learning opportunities available for staff at Newcastle Airport and Catherine was introduced to two young Air Traffic Engineering Trainees who discussed the experiences and ongoing programme of bespoke training that have been available for them.

Newcastle Aviation Academy

Next, Mrs McKinnell visited the Newcastle Aviation Academy, an off-site Newcastle College campus located at Newcastle Airport which has workshops kitted out with the latest hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, a high-tech IT suite and a Boeing 737 which students can carry out repairs on.

Catherine met with a group of Academy students and heard more about how their hands-on learning experience, and the opportunity to secure relevant, paid employment at the Airport in a range of different roles, is helping to produce work-ready graduates for this sector.

Mrs McKinnell’s Fellowship has helped her to gain an in-depth understanding of the employment issues and opportunities available across her constituency, supporting her work as a member of the Education Select Committee and as Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships.

Commenting on the visit, Catherine said:

‘This was a fascinating visit, hearing more about the incredibly wide range of training and employment opportunities available at Newcastle Airport. I have always been particularly impressed with the links the Airport has with local education providers such as the world-class Aviation Academy which clearly has very high standards of teaching and technical facilities, and it was good to hear more about the training provided directly by the Airport to their staff.

‘I would also like to extend my thanks to the IPT in helping to organise this visit. They provide a valuable service in bridging the gap between Parliamentarians and industry.’

Graeme Mason, Planning and Corporate Affairs Director at Newcastle International, added:

‘It was a pleasure to welcome Catherine to our facilities and show her how we support the local area. She was very engaged throughout the day and took a great interest in the skills and training opportunities we have for young people in Newcastle.’