Heathrow has convened the first meeting of its Heathrow Infrastructure Skills Council, bringing unions, colleges and training providers together to prepare workers for its expansion programme. The airport is gearing up to train the workforce needed for the huge build, with opportunities spanning engineering, logistics, electrical installation, carpentry and joinery.
The airport’s plans combine direct training commitments with efforts to bring unions, colleges and training providers into the same conversation about workforce readiness.
The skills push comes amid fresh uncertainty over political backing. Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to endorse the scheme, while Chancellor John Healey championed its economic benefits. Burnham has suggested expansion should be “a matter for London and Londoners”, and The Sunday Times reported that he told Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander he was unconvinced by the project. Healey struck a more supportive tone on Friday, saying: “The case for a third runway at Heathrow has always been a case for growth.” The comments underline the split over the project’s political case.
Jobs and training commitments
Heathrow forecasts at least 17,500 local jobs at peak construction, alongside 33,000 jobs across its nine neighbouring boroughs by 2055. The airport has pledged 5,000 youth apprenticeships, traineeships and other routes into work.
It will also 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 is intended to help smaller firms compete for supply chain work generated by the privately financed project.
Within the next year, Heathrow plans to launch a refreshed face-to-face work experience programme for local students. An annual careers event is due to start in March 2027. The measures form part of its new Economic Development Framework, which sets out how expansion could deliver local and national growth. It covers the council, training centre, SME Academy and student programmes.
Skills pipeline and political hurdles
Lord Blunkett, co-chair of the Heathrow Infrastructure Skills Council, said it was time to “lift our eyes to the horizon” and see the potential of expansion and investment in major infrastructure programmes, while putting in place the pipeline of education and skills required to meet the challenge. He linked the council’s work to longer-term investment in major infrastructure.
Despite the training plans, the airport still faces a lengthy planning process before construction could begin. It has indicated that the runway may not open until 2039, four years later than its original target. The jobs and skills programme therefore sets out preparations for a project whose political backing and timetable remain uncertain.