Heathrow Airport is preparing to train the workforce required for its major expansion programme, with employment and training opportunities expected across engineering, logistics, electrical installation, carpentry and joinery.
The airport has convened the first meeting of its Heathrow Infrastructure Skills Council, bringing together trade unions, colleges and training providers to develop the skills pipeline needed to support the construction programme.
The employment initiative comes amid renewed uncertainty over political support for the expansion. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to endorse the scheme, while Chancellor John Healey has highlighted its potential economic benefits.
Heathrow estimates that the expansion could support at least 17,500 local jobs at the peak of construction, alongside 33,000 jobs across its nine neighbouring boroughs by 2055.
The airport has pledged to provide 5,000 youth apprenticeships, traineeships and other routes into employment. It will also play a key role in the new West London Construction Training Excellence Centre, one of 10 centres being established nationwide by the Department for Education.
An expanded SME Academy will help smaller businesses strengthen their capabilities and compete for supply chain contracts generated by the privately financed expansion project.
Heathrow also plans to introduce a refreshed face-to-face work experience programme for local students within the next year, followed by an annual careers event beginning in March 2027.
These initiatives form part of the airport’s new Economic Development Framework, which outlines how the expansion could support economic growth at both local and national levels.
Lord Blunkett, co-chair of the Heathrow Infrastructure Skills Council, said: “It is time to lift our eyes to the horizon. To see the potential of expansion, and investment in the big infrastructure programmes of the future, and to put in place the pipeline of education and skills required to meet the challenge.”
However, Heathrow continues to face challenges in securing sustained political support for the expansion plans.
Burnham has suggested that expansion should be “a matter for London and Londoners”. The Sunday Times has also reported that he told Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander he remained unconvinced by the project.
Healey adopted a more supportive position on Friday, saying: “The case for a third runway at Heathrow has always been a case for growth.”
The airport still faces a lengthy planning process, with the proposed third runway potentially not opening until 2039, four years later than its original target date.
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