Airport impact on employment

Supported 6,500 over 12 months

EAST Midlands Airport has supported more than 6,500 people with training, employment or careers advice during a 12-month period, a new report has revealed.

The figures for the financial year of 2017/18, published in its annual CSR (corporate social responsibility) report, show that 4.205 young people benefitted from EMA’s education programme.

It also revealed more than 2,000 people attended the annual Big Jobs Fair in the airport’s departures hall, 209 people gained a customer services qualification and, of these, 130 people attended training at the airport’s academy and found work.

And 101 adults had work experience in a customer facing role linked to the airport’s academy programme.

Currently, 8,000 people are employed across the airport site - land owned by the airport which includes the Pegasus Business Park. With a further 8,000 jobs being made available at the neighbouring SEGRO Logistics Park (East Midlands Gateway), the airport will be situated at the heart of one of the fastest growing employment sites in the region.

As well as outlining the airport’s commitment to being a responsible employer, the annual CSR report also demonstrates the ever-growing importance of airports to their regions. EMA’s annual direct economic contribution to the East Midlands stands at £300m which is up 15 per cent on the previous year, with indirect contribution far higher as the airport generates spending in the region.

However, growth must be managed so that it doesn’t have an adverse impact on local communities. The CSR report shows that while passenger numbers grew last year by three per cent, and cargo growth stood at 10 per cent, there was only a one per cent increase in the overall number of air traffic movements. This approach to sustainable growth, which also includes incentivising airlines to use cleaner and more modern aircraft, helps keep noise levels down.

Karen Smart, East Midlands Airport’s managing director, said: “We’re an ambitious airport and we’re committed to making the most of this fantastic facility which has significant potential to grow and become even more of an asset to the region.

“But future growth won’t come at any cost and, as we demonstrate, we are equally focussed on ensuring that, as a good neighbour, we take a responsible approach to mitigating the impact of our operation on the environment and local communities.

“We want local people to be proud of this airport and, at the same time, play a key role in shaping the future prosperity of this region and its people.”