THE world’s largest aviation services provider, Swissport International, is helping to take travel and tourism training to new heights at Middlesbrough College.
The company – the world’s largest provider of ground and cargo handling services to the aviation industry – has joined forces with Tees Valley’s largest college to create a Swissport Academy.
It means Middlesbrough College travel, tourism and aviation students will have exclusive access to Swissport operations at Durham Tees Valley Airport, where they will gain valuable experience in real work situations.
The Swissport Academy provides students with the opportunity to experience a variety of roles to decide what’s right for them.
Those roles include baggage services, check-in services, dedicated passenger services, gate and departure services, special passenger and VIP services, load control and communications, station representation and supervision, de/anti-icing and aircraft servicing.
Peter Coe, regional recruitment and training manager at Swissport, said: “Middlesbrough College has a great reputation for travel, tourism and aviation training and we’re delighted to help the team take that training to the next level.
“Swissport Academy supports students from the classroom into the aviation industry, helping them to put learning into practice with unique access behind the scenes where they gain real work experience.”
Carole Bennett, Middlesbrough College programme director for sport, travel and public services, said: “This new venture for Middlesbrough College provides students with exclusive access to landside and airside operations.
“Students will be able to experience first-hand how aircraft and passengers are handled to maximise service and efficiency due to work experience at local airports including Durham Tees Valley, Newcastle, and Leeds Bradford international airports.”
Student Joshua Arnold, 18, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity and is beyond anything we could learn in the classroom – work experience like this is priceless.”
Swissport employs more than 60,000 people worldwide, in hundreds of different job roles.
Middlesbrough College students will be able to get practical career advice from Swissport employees and have the chance to fast track job applications should they want a career with the company.
Former Middlesbrough College travel, tourism and aviation students have secured careers as cabin crew with some of the world’s largest airlines including Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and British Airways.
Others have chosen to ensure passengers receive first class experience on the ground as multi skilled customer service agents which encompasses the role of dispatcher and business lounge agent, while others have gone on to become travel consultants, agency managers and foreign exchange cashiers.
There’s still time to apply for a course this year. For more information about studying at Middlesbrough College visit mbro.ac.uk or call the Course Information Hotline on 01642 333700.