Auckland Airport wins two ‘Young at Heart’ youth employer awards

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Auckland Airport has been recognised for its commitment to employing and developing young Aucklanders at the annual ‘Young at Heart’ Youth Employer Pledge Awards.

In the past year Auckland Airport has directly employed almost 50 young people and through Ara, the airport’s jobs and skills hub, connected many more to full-time employment with companies working on the airport’s 30-year development programme.

Anna Cassels-Brown, Auckland Airport’s general manager – people and safety, says, “We’re thrilled to be recognised and so very proud to be playing a part in helping young Aucklanders into jobs and careers. There are so many talented, motivated young people in Auckland and they’re the city’s future workforce. Everyone benefits, including businesses like ours, when we give them opportunities to work and build their skills.”

The airport has won the Industry Leadership Award for launching Ara and the School Engagement and Work Experience Award for its work with students and teachers in local schools. The Young at Heart Awards recognise the efforts of businesses like Auckland Airport that have signed the Auckland Council’s Youth Employer Pledge and are making a commitment to employ Auckland’s young talent to grow their workforce and business.

Ms Cassels-Brown says that helping young people into employment and careers is a partnership.

“We value the support we’ve had in the past year from the team at Ara, our airport jobs and skill hub, from local schools, businesses located at the airport, government agencies, training providers and the South Auckland community.”

“This award recognises that we’ve put a good foundation in place and we’ll be building on that in coming years to help more young Aucklanders into careers at and around the airport.”

The airport is working with 15 South Auckland secondary schools to prepare students for work, offering work experience, careers seminars and scholarships to support students’ tertiary study. In July the airport awarded 19 South Auckland teachers scholarships to fund their professional development.