High-flying Newcastle College graduates land ‘exciting’ jobs at Newcastle Airport
More than 20 Newcastle College graduates are enjoying soaring starts to their careers after landing “exciting and rewarding” jobs at Newcastle Airport.
The students secured employment after taking part in the College’s Ambassador Programme – a volunteering scheme that invites students to spend time at the Airport to learn about its different departments, including security, passenger services and operations.
The programme is for Aviation Operations students at the College’s Aviation Academy – a specialist teaching facility based just off the Airport’s runway.
Of the 45 students who graduated from the Ambassador Programme in 2024, 24 have secured jobs at the Airport. 
Among those were Sophie Shaw and Saoirse Walton, who joined the Airport as Seasonal Security Support Officers in April where they are responsible for ensuring passengers have seamless, hassle-free journeys through the newly refurbished security search area.
The area was recently renovated and next generation security scanners were installed as part of the Airport’s £20m investment to improve the overall passenger experience.
Saoirse said: “I really enjoy working at the Airport. It’s an exciting place to work, especially when it is busy, and everyone is so friendly.
“I always wanted to work in the aviation industry and the Ambassador Programme helped me develop and learn new skills to get my foot in the door.”
Sophie added: “Whilst on the programme, I worked with the Passenger Assistance Team. It was a great and rewarding experience helping passengers and made me more confident. I’ve been able to use these skills in my job in security and I’m really enjoying it.”
Dean Ward, Director of Commercial at Newcastle Airport, said: “The Ambassador Programme provides fantastic opportunities for talented and ambitious students to gain valuable hands-on experience across a range of departments at Newcastle Airport.
“It is brilliant to see the students develop their knowledge, skills and confidence while working alongside our teams, with many going on to enjoy long and successful careers at our Airport and elsewhere in the aviation industry.”
Craig Cowan, Head of Curriculum, Travel & Aviation Operations at Newcastle College, said: “Newcastle College has a long history of working in partnership with industry to develop the workforce of the future and our Aviation Academy’s longstanding relationship with Newcastle International Airport is a fantastic example of this.
“Our aim is always to provide our students with the skills and experience they need to succeed in their future career, and I am proud to see so many of our students secure employment in a range of roles as a result of this programme and this partnership.”
The Aviation Academy serves as a specialised educational facility for aspiring aviation professionals.
Offering courses and training facilities for aeronautical engineering, aviation operations and cabin crew, students hone their skills in a 12,000m2 aircraft hangar, working on a real aircraft to develop core skills to support entry into the aviation industry.
For more information about the Aviation Academy and its courses, visit www.ncl-coll.ac.uk.