Future leaders take flight

Building leadership skills across the airport

A group of budding managers working in various teams and departments across Manchester Airport has graduated from a leadership skills programme, offered in conjunction by the airport and Trafford and Stockport College Group (TSCG).

The Level 3 programme, titled ‘Leading with Confidence in Aviation’, was made up of a six-session course. It covered leadership skills and management strategies, coupled with a written assignment.

Each of the six sessions covered a different facet of management. They ranged from looking at different organisation types and how they operate, to how to incorporate corporate values and strategies into day-to-day management. The sessions were held in a seminar style, encouraging discussion and debate between candidates.

A total of 15 learners progressed through the programme. Some students came from the airport operator MAG and others from various partner organisations. Amongst those others was the airport’s special assistance provider ABM, baggage handlers DHL and Swissport, and bar and restaurant operator HMS Host.

The programme was delivered through the Manchester Airport Skills Hub. This is a partnership between the airport and TSCG to create an industry-led talent pipeline that supports the future of aviation in the North. The shared aim is to teach transferrable skills but also provide students with the sector-specific knowledge and insights that they will need for a successful career in aviation.

Since 2012, nearly 2,000 learners have progressed into paid employment through joint TSCG and MAG programmes geared to entry-level work. Programmes like ‘Leading with Confidence in Aviation’ have also helped the airport and its partners promote scores of colleagues from within. This initiative helped them boost their own careers while retaining their accumulated knowledge within the industry.

Graduates put learning into practice

Among the graduates was 24-year-old Adam Doyle from Cheadle Hulme. Adam initially joined MAG through an apprenticeship programme offered by TSCG. Having got into an aviation career through a Skills Hub course, he was keen to take the next step via the leadership programme.

Adam said:

“The course was great because it was interactive, varied, collaborative, and constantly encouraged us to test our boundaries. Learning about different leadership styles helped me better understand how leaders can adapt their approach to suit different situations, teams, and challenges. The course also encouraged self-reflection, allowing me to identify my own strengths and areas for development as a leader.

“This course has been invaluable to my development. Shortly after completing it, I was promoted to Airfield Operations Lead. In this new role, I have been able to challenge myself further and draw upon the knowledge, skills, and experiences I have gained throughout my professional career at MAG and the course.”

Also graduating was 24-year-old Lauren Dennon from Manchester, an Operations Manager with ABM. She joined the organisation in 2022 as a Terminal Host, booking passengers in at the special assistance reception. She was promoted to a Terminal Supervisor role and then on to her current position.

Lauren said:

“It was great to have this opportunity to learn leadership skills – not just management skills – and also to network with other mangers from different companies and departments across the airport, learning about how they respond to the challenges they face and exchanging ideas.

“To anyone at the airport who wants to take their next career step, I would say 100% that they should look into Skills Hub courses like this one – and never be afraid to ask questions.”

26-year-old Amelia Snoxell, also from Manchester, started working for MAG two years ago as a Customer Experience Team Leader. She has now progressed to Customer Performance Improvement Lead.

Amelia said:

“I am always looking for opportunities to develop my skills, increase my knowledge, and build strong connections with people within the airport community, not only for my own professional growth but also to ensure that I add real value to my team and my work.

“This course has given me a fresh perspective on leadership, strengthened my confidence and helped me develop practical skills that I can apply in my role every day. Attending the course with colleagues in different departments has enabled me to create invaluable connections and gain a broader understanding of the wider operation. I now feel better equipped to support my team, drive performance, and contribute positively to the wider business.

“I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is passionate about leadership and wants to make a meaningful impact on their team, their stakeholders, and the organisation.”

The course inspired Amelia to revisit the way in which training is provided in the teams she manages.

She added:

“Following these sessions, I started exploring digital training and began to consider how we could further strengthen our current training programme.

“We are currently developing a series of structured, step-by-step videos, supported by audio, visual, and written content to support different learning styles. This approach will go alongside our existing face-to-face training, ensuring our teams are fully equipped to carry out the process effectively. This also will allow our leaders and training teams to spend more time out in the operation, directly supporting colleagues.”

Supporting the next generation of aviation leaders

Chris Woodroofe, managing director at Manchester Airport, presented graduates with their certificates at a ceremony last week.

He said:

“At Manchester Airport we’re proud to serve the people of Greater Manchester and the North, and that doesn’t just mean by flying people to the places they want to travel to – it also means giving local people the chance to access unique employment opportunities and embark on a rewarding career.

“The Skills Hub is a key part of how we achieve that – and as this programme shows, it’s not just about getting people into a role with ourselves or one of our partners, it’s about helping them grow into increasingly senior management positions and retaining emerging talent within the industry. It’s fantastic to see examples of colleagues on this course who started their aviation careers in an entry-level role – through Skills Hub apprenticeships in some cases – and who are now taking steps towards becoming the airport leaders of the future.”

James Scott, CEO, Trafford and Stockport College Group, said:

“As part of the Manchester Airport Skills Hub, TSCG is proud to play a leading role in developing future talent, growing careers and driving business success. Together with our partners, we’re creating opportunities that help individuals thrive and organisations evolve.

“Our Leading with Confidence in Aviation programme is a powerful example of what we can achieve through collaboration—working alongside employers to co-create learning that responds to real business needs and future challenges.

“This partnership is already making a meaningful difference for individuals, businesses and the wider community.”