Staff at Birmingham Airport celebrate their academic success after completing courses through Solihull College’s training academy, BASA.
Launched at the Airport in April, BASA – Birmingham Airport Skills Academy, offers employees based on-site, as well as local job-seekers, the chance to up-skill through a range of College courses and professional qualifications.
A celebration ceremony took place earlier this week to mark the success of the first 50 employees to complete a programme through the Academy and saw the Airport’s Chief Executive Paul Kehoe congratulate them individually.
Rachel Elias, Cabin Crew Performance Manager for Thomson Airways, is one employee to take part in BASA and recently completed an NCFE programme in Managing Diversity. She is also set to complete her Level Two ITQ qualification. “It’s great being able to celebrate with my colleagues and having my achievements recognised by Paul and other senior management. The courses have been great for my development and have really increased my confidence when dealing with particular issues at work. ”
The partnership between the College and Airport has been in place for over seven years through various training initiatives including the award winning Job Junction scheme. Job Junction is an employment and training partnership between the College, Airport, Job Centre Plus and Pertemps which offers and eight week tailored programme designed to equip job seekers with the skills needed to gain employment.
Solihull College’s Business Advisor Rebecca Wilks works alongside the Airport to run BASA, she comments: “By helping staff develop their existing knowledge as well as explore new skills, BASA offers a host of benefits to the 140 businesses that occupy the Airport and we’re delighted at how well it’s being received. This latest training initiative has added strength to the unique partnership between the College and Airport and we’re looking forward to seeing even more employers taking part.”
To find out more about BASA contact Rebecca Wilks at Rebecca.wilks@solihull.ac.uk or on 0121 678 7181.
