Heathrow has convened the first meeting of a new infrastructure skills council as it prepares the workforce for a proposed expansion, even as political support for a third runway remains uncertain. The airport says construction opportunities at peak would span engineering, logistics, electrical installation, carpentry and joinery.
The Heathrow Infrastructure Skills Council brings together unions, colleges and training providers to coordinate preparation for the build. Heathrow forecasts at least 17,500 local jobs at peak construction, alongside 33,000 jobs across its nine neighbouring boroughs by 2055.
Training and access commitments
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. Heathrow says it will launch a refreshed face-to-face work experience programme for local students within the next year, followed by an annual careers event starting in March 2027.
The measures form part of a new Economic Development Framework, which sets out how expansion could deliver local and national growth. Lord Blunkett, co-chair of the council, said it was time to look to the horizon, recognise the potential of expansion and investment in major future infrastructure programmes, and put in place the education and skills pipeline required to meet the challenge.
Political questions remain
The jobs push comes amid fresh uncertainty over political backing for expansion. The airport faces a battle to maintain political momentum. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to endorse the scheme and suggested expansion should be “a matter for London and Londoners.” The Sunday Times has 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, saying: “The case for a third runway at Heathrow has always been a case for growth.” The remarks leave competing signals over the project as the airport develops its training plans.
The airport still faces a lengthy planning process and has indicated the runway may not open until 2039, four years later than its original target. The training measures are therefore being put in place before the planning and political questions are settled.
The first meeting of the skills council is an early step in a programme that would need to be sustained through a lengthy planning process. Heathrow's employment forecasts and training pledges remain contingent on the expansion proceeding.