London Stansted helps MAG take home top prize at Better Society Awards
London Stansted owner MAG has won the coveted National Commitment to Skills and Training prize at the 2019 Better Society Awards.
The UK’s largest airport group collected the honour at a gala presentation held at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square hosted by comedian Kerry Godliman.
Now in their fifth year, the Better Society Awards recognises companies for their work in creating a better, more equal, ethical and sustainable world for all.
MAG’s submission was for its new MAGConnect scheme, which is designed to provide local airport communities with opportunities for skills training and employment in the aviation industry, regardless of their age or experience.
The newest addition to the MAGConnect scheme this year has been Stansted Airport College, in partnership with Harlow College. The first of its kind in the UK, the college offers technical courses for careers across the aviation industry, including aeronautical engineering and cabin crew training.
The college has capacity to train 500 school leavers each year and helps them find jobs either at the airport or within the aviation industry, providing young people with skills-based alternative to University.
In the skills and training category MAG was up against some stiff competition from major companies including Greene King, Warner Bros and Willmott Dixon but London Stansted’s work to develop skills and employment opportunities for young people came in for particular praise from the judges.
The entry from MAG shows how a scheme can retain an integrated focussed approach and yet be scaled up. Taking responsibility for the local community and doing something that is hard to knock – and an impressive feat.
In the last 12 months we’ve achieved some amazing accomplishments at London Stansted, including the opening of the onsite Stansted Airport College, the first of its kind in the UK; welcoming over 4,000 children to our education centre and training 260 individuals at our own on-site Employment and Skills Academy.
This award echoes MAG’s long-term commitment to work in partnerships with local schools, businesses and community groups to ensure all can benefit from the development of the airport.