THIS time last year, the Prime Minister welcomed Manchester Airports Group’s £1.1 billion investment plan for London Stansted Airport at the government’s International Investment Summit. This project offers a once-in-a-generation transformation, unlocking the capacity of the airport and bringing more opportunities for work, learning and leisure to our communities.

Following last year’s summit, we’ve both had the opportunity to visit Stansted Airport to see it in action and find out more about the employment and skills opportunities it provides to thousands of our residents.

At the end of the runway, 600 of the next generation of aircraft engineers and flight attendants are learning the skills they need to thrive in the aviation industry at Stansted Airport College.

Next to the terminal, adult learners referred by local job centres are supported to build their confidence and re-enter the workforce to earn a living. They’re then matched to vacancies in food and beverage, retail outlet and airport operations roles.

And every year, countless passengers pass through Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth on their way to and from the airport. Many stay a night ahead of an early flight or before continuing their journey home, supporting our local economy in doing so.

The airport has been clear about its ambition to grow these opportunities: nearly doubling the capacity of the college; building the infrastructure needed to support its growth (including valuable road, train, and bus route improvements) and tackling fly parking. The building work will help to create hundreds of construction roles, and future plans stretching into the 2040s will involve even more opportunities for good local jobs and local suppliers.

Stansted Airport is also already carbon neutral and is working hard to achieve net zero operations by 2038 – 12 years earlier than the national target. Part of this includes building a new 14.3MW solar farm to power the airport, which is already under construction and will become operational in Spring next year.

The opportunities for work, education and leisure offered by Stansted Airport are essential to our local economy, and we’re keen for residents in Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and the surrounding villages to benefit from the even greater opportunities offered by the airport’s growth.