Heathrow has convened the first meeting of a new skills council and set out a training plan intended to prepare workers for its expansion programme, with the airport forecasting at least 17,500 local jobs at peak construction. According to the airport, the opportunities span engineering, logistics, electrical installation, carpentry and joinery.
The Heathrow Infrastructure Skills Council brings unions, colleges and training providers together to prepare workers for the build. Heathrow also forecasts 33,000 jobs across its nine neighbouring boroughs by 2055. It has pledged 5,000 youth apprenticeships, traineeships and other routes into work.
Training and supply-chain support
The airport will play a key role in the new West London Construction Training Excellence Centre, one of 10 being established nationally by the Department for Education. An expanded SME Academy will help smaller firms compete for supply chain work generated by the privately financed project.
Heathrow will launch a refreshed face-to-face work experience programme for local students within the next year. An annual careers event will follow from March 2027. The measures form part of its new Economic Development Framework, which sets out how expansion could deliver local and national growth.
Lord Blunkett, co-chair of the skills council, said the programme should look beyond immediate pressures, recognise what large infrastructure investment can offer and build a long-term supply of education and skills.
Political backing remains uncertain
The skills push comes amid fresh uncertainty over political backing for expansion. The airport faces a battle to maintain political momentum. Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to endorse the scheme and suggested expansion should be a matter for London and Londoners. The Sunday Times also reported that he told transport secretary Heidi Alexander he was unconvinced by the project.
Chancellor John Healey struck a more supportive tone on Friday, describing the case for a third runway at Heathrow as a case for growth.
Heathrow still faces a lengthy planning process. It has said the runway may not open until 2039, four years later than its original target.