Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA), just one mile from Manchester Airport, is our local secondary school. Together with the Wythenshawe Housing Trust and City College Manchester, we are proud to sponsor the Academy, where our specialist knowledge of business, travel and tourism will help enrich the curriculum over the years ahead. With the help of our Senior Leadership Team and people at every level of our business, we are actively involved in the Academy, supporting their students and enriching their curriculum. Our HR Director Olivia Clayton is Chair of Governors.
Twelve MAG colleagues act as 'Aspirational Mentors' for Year 12/13 students, spending an hour each week, sharing expertise, talking through career options and providing sign posting for them.
Year 10 students from MEA get chance to participate in a 'Get Hired' event, organised by Business Working with Wythenshawe (BW3). Different companies offer a carousel based work preparation session, which also provides a 'mock interview' and a chance to see a role play of a 'good and bad' interview.
The Dragons Den Enterprise competition challenges students to develop a Christmas present for family or friends retailing for £5 of less. The teams set themselves up as a virtual business: design a gift, work out how to manufacture it, purchase materials, market and sell the product and produce accounts. There are opportunities to develop key skills for each team member. MEA have taken part in this competition since its' inception, they won (by raising the most money for charity) in 2009.
The Dragons are made up of a panel of Senior Managers from across the Airport and its Service partners. Each team is offered the support of a business mentor from an Airport based company to assist them if they want. This year 21 schools are competing.
Year 10 students from MEA each year are offered the chance to take part in a 2.5 hour job shadow/work experience session at Manchester Airport. Employees, from companies across the site, host the students. Hosts include airline partners, government agencies and contractors. It is vital that these young people have opportunities to visit businesses and industries in order to meet positive role models, help raise their aspirations and encourage improved educational attainment. Only with the help of many of our colleagues is this possible.
Comments from the students included: "Can I come again?", "It was interesting and not what I expected", "People were really nice and friendly", "I would like a job in valet parking – it was great". Feedback from the hosts was positive with everybody committing to doing it again next year, comments included: "Ana was a credit, I really enjoyed the session and I would consider taking more pupils."
The Airport offer a transition event for the 5 feeder primary schools each September. The year 6 pupils get to see how by choosing MEA as their secondary school of choice they get the added value brought from their relationship with the Airport. The events are designed to develop curiosity, resilience, communication skills, effective relationships, leadership and teamwork skills.
