East Midlands Chamber is working with businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to ensure the future workforce has the right skills for the job market.
It has the contract to manage a government-funded Local Skills Improvement Plan – which will bridge the gap between the skills employers need and the training available in our colleges and universities.
It’s easy to sign up, then you will be able to take advantage of the support on offer and help shape local post-16 education.
The plan launched this summer and businesses are already getting on board.
In our latest case study, we hear from Joanna Jackson, senior education and employment manager at Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns East Midlands Airport:
As one of the largest employment sites in the East Midlands, East Midlands Airport understands the importance of ensuring that local people have the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to access future career opportunities.
Through our sustainability strategy, Opportunity for All, we are committed to creating pathways into employment and raising aspirations for people of all ages and backgrounds.
We recognise that businesses have a critical role to play in developing the future workforce and ensuring education and training opportunities reflect the skills employers need both now and in the future.
This is why engagement with the Local Skills Improvement Plan is so important.
Employers are uniquely placed to identify emerging skills gaps, influence curriculum development and help shape meaningful experiences that prepare young people for the workplace.
As industries continue to evolve through technological change, artificial intelligence, sustainability goals and changing workforce needs, closer collaboration between employers and education providers has never been more important.
At East Midlands Airport, we work closely with schools, colleges, universities and employment support organisations to support people at every stage of their career journey.
Through programmes including our on-site education centre Aerozone and Airport Academy, we help inspire young people to explore aviation careers and support jobseekers to develop skills and access employment opportunities.
In March 2026, we brought this approach to life through the launch of our first-ever Aviation Careers Festival, supported by the Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authorities Reach for the Sky fund.
The event welcomed hundreds of young people from schools and colleges across Leicestershire and the East Midlands to discover the diverse range of careers available across aviation and the wider airport community.
The festival was created in response to a challenge many employers and educators recognise.
Traditional careers fairs often rely on young people approaching employers standing behind exhibition stands and initiating conversations.
For many teenagers, particularly those who are less confident, this can feel intimidating and can limit meaningful engagement.
Today’s young people engage most effectively with experiences that are interactive, visual and participative.
Rather than organising a traditional careers fair, we created a festival environment where students and employers could connect naturally through hands-on activities and shared experiences, making careers education engaging, memorable and accessible.
Employers from across the airport site were encouraged to think creatively about how they showcased their industries.
Students could experience flight simulators, take part in security screening challenges using handheld metal detectors, engage with practical demonstrations, explore specialist equipment and participate in employer-led activities designed to bring different careers to life.
Alongside these activities, our Aviation Theatre hosted employability workshops, industry talks and careers discussions, giving students the opportunity to hear directly from professionals working across engineering, operations, logistics, sustainability, customer service, construction, hospitality and emergency services.
Rather than simply telling young people about jobs, employers were able to demonstrate what those roles look like in practice and explain the skills, attributes and pathways needed to succeed.
Importantly, the activities also acted as conversation starters. Students who may have felt uncomfortable approaching an employer’s stand found themselves naturally engaging in discussions while taking part in challenges and demonstrations. The result was more authentic conversations, greater confidence and a much deeper understanding of the opportunities available.
To reinforce the festival atmosphere, the event also featured food vendors, arcade games and an ice cream van, creating an enjoyable and welcoming environment that encouraged students to spend time exploring, engaging with employers and discovering new career possibilities.
By combining entertainment, learning and employer engagement, we were able to create an experience that felt relevant and appealing to young people.
For many attendees, the festival challenged perceptions about careers in aviation. While pilots and cabin crew are often the most visible roles, students discovered the vast range of careers that keep an airport operating successfully.
The festival formed part of a wider programme of activity delivered through our Aerozone education centre, which welcomes around 1500 young people each year.
Through interactive learning experiences, employer encounters and curriculum-linked activities, students gain a greater understanding of the skills employers value, including communication, teamwork, adaptability, customer service and problem solving.
Aerozone is open to all schools and colleges across the East Midlands and free to visit.
In addition to this, East Midlands Airport also supports over 4,000 young people through a variety of other education programmes including work experience, careers events and employability sessions.
Alongside this, our Airport Academy supports local jobseekers through tailored aviation and employability programmes, careers guidance and direct links to employment opportunities.
Working in partnership with employers, local authorities, the Department for Work and Pensions, the programme helps local people build the confidence, skills and industry awareness needed to access sustainable employment.
Last year, over 3,000 people were supported and over 200 people were trained, with 50% progressing into paid employment.
The success of the Aviation Careers Festival and our wider programmes demonstrate the impact that sustained partnerships can have in raising aspirations, addressing skills shortages and preparing future generations for employment.
By creating engaging opportunities for young people to connect with the world of work, we can help ensure they develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
As businesses continue to face workforce challenges and growing demand for skilled talent, initiatives such as the Local Skills Improvement Plan provide an essential framework for collaboration.
By aligning skills provision with employer needs and helping people understand the opportunities available to them, we can create a stronger, more resilient workforce while ensuring that opportunity is available to everyone.
Sign up to the Local Skills Improvement Plan here.
