Restaurateur SSP has launched a new apprenticeship program that will provide jobs for 40 individuals at Manchester Airport in the UK.
The catering and hospitality apprentice program will be carried out in collaboration with the on-site Airport Academy, which is run in partnership with Stockport College. More than 25 education professionals from Cheshire and the Greater Manchester area were invited to a one-day workshop so they could learn more about the program and report back to their colleges and institutions to tailor their courses to the roles available.
The workshop included an overview of the Airport Academy, an introduction to SSP, a tour of Terminal 2 to see several SSP outlets, and a presentation on the skills, qualifications and qualities needed to excel on the scheme. The types of roles on offer include team members, bar staff, waiting staff, baristas, chefs and production staff.
Martin Walder, head of learning and development at SSP, said, “We are delighted to be working alongside Manchester Airport to deliver this initiative, which will help education providers across the northwest get access to the latest roles available.
“Not only can they find out about the apprenticeship scheme, they can find out exactly what we want as an employer and gain a glimpse into what we offer employees. This in turn makes it much easier for them to sell the opportunity to their students. We look forward to rolling out this scheme wider to ensure other colleges and institutions can gain access.”
Nik Walker, director of corporate development at Stockport and Trafford College, said, “What a great initiative from Manchester Airport and SSP. Interactive days like these are vital for education providers to understand the skills required of the employer, in order to ensure the best-fit in terms of impact and effectiveness in the workplace for when learners go on to apprenticeships and the start of their careers – this is yet another fantastic example of how Manchester Airport is demonstrating its commitment to developing skills in the region.”
The tour also consisted of a virtual reality look at the airport’s £1bn (US$1.4bn) transformation program, which is set to grow Terminal Two by more than 140%, creating a world class super terminal. At Manchester Airport, SSP employs in excess of 500 colleagues and own units including Spinning Jenny, Cabin Bar, Upper Crust, Burger King, Pasty Shop, Mi Casa and Starbucks.