A GROUNDBREAKING initiative at Stansted Airport has won praise from former education minister for apprenticeships and skills Robert Halfon.

The Harlow MP spoke out about a partnership between the town’s further education college and the hub, which is the largest single site employer in the region.

Around 12,000 staff working for the 200 on-site airport companies are being given the opportunity to gain accredited qualifications run by Harlow College in over 30 subjects, including mental health awareness, customer service, counselling skills and dementia care.

Mr Halfon said: “It is great news that Stansted Airport will be offering free training courses for their employees with the support of the brilliant Harlow College. Lifelong learning is essential for social justice and employers have an important role to play in delivering this. Reskilling and upskilling staff will ensure that individuals from all backgrounds can get themselves back on the education ladder of opportunity, investing in themselves to achieve security and prosperity for their futures. I’m proud that Stansted Airport, with Harlow College, are leading the way on this and hope that other employers will follow suit.”

Vesela Ivanova, employment and skills manager at Stansted, said: “The courses are aimed at airport staff who may not have access to other free learning opportunities, which are often restricted to jobseekers. They add to the collection of courses provided by Stansted Airport’s Employment and Skills Academy to help people find employment at the airport and assist in the upskilling of staff already employed at Stansted.”

The latest initiative comes after the successful launch of free GCSE equivalent English and maths classes the airport rolled out to staff and local residents in 2018.