Gatwick airport is taking on university graduates after relaunching a career training programme that was put on hold during the pandemic.
Seven graduates have been recruited to the programme and a further 12 places are to be offered to graduates for 2024. Applications for next year’s programme open next month.
Five female and two male graduates (pictured) have started their careers at the airport this week after being offered places from a pool of more than 1,500 applicants.
They will work across seven different departments including IT, human resources, security, operational planning, commercial, corporate affairs and construction. The contracts are all for two years except construction, which is a three-year programme.
The successful candidates have a range of undergraduate and master’s degrees, in subjects such as geography, mathematics, terrorism and security and air transport management from universities including the University of Sussex, University of Surrey and UCL.
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Gatwick’s talent acquisition partner Clare Ead said: “The scheme provides opportunities for talented and ambitious graduates to gain hands-on experience at London Gatwick, developing their knowledge, skills and confidence.
“Many past members of the graduate programme have gone on to enjoy long and successful careers at Gatwick and elsewhere within the aviation industry. We are really excited to see what this year’s cohort can achieve.”
Corporate affairs graduate Olivia Webster said: “I’m looking forward to understanding more about how the airport functions and building my skills and confidence in a professional setting.”
The 2024 scheme will include additional roles in Gatwick’s engineering, sustainability, aerodrome, finance and legal departments. Assessments of candidates will take place in early 2024.
The airport has also expanded its apprenticeship programme this year, with six roles across engineering, IT and cyber security.
The 2023 cohort also started this week, and will combine their hands-on experience at Gatwick with courses at local colleges.
It comes as the airport’s planning application to bring its northern runway into regular use is accepted for detailed examination by The Planning Inspectorate.
The plan is available for residents and stakeholders to comment on until October 29. It aims to reduce airline delays, support tourism and create new jobs.