21 April 2026
Last month, in partnership with Gatwick Airport, John Ruskin College was thrilled to launch the Aviation Academy, a two-week course for young people looking to boost their employability and find work.
Having completed the course and attended their interviews, we are thrilled to announce 10 out of 12 students at present have been offered jobs within Gatwick Airport.
The course was led by aviation training specialist David Ling, who has worked in the industry for more than a decade. To kickstart the course, students were given the opportunity to tour the iconic airport and learn more about the behind the scenes, which prepared them for their interviews at the end of the two weeks.
The successful learners are split between Hospitality company Baxter Storey and security company Wilson James. With Gatwick Airport welcoming around 1.5 million visitors in a single day, the Aviation Academy cohort will be jumping straight into a fast-paced, rewarding sector.
Fiona Johnstone, Director of Learning, SEND, Adults & Employability, reflected on the success of this incredible partnership: “We are incredibly proud that over 83% of learners from our first Aviation Academy cohort have successfully moved into employment. This reflects the strength of the curriculum, and the dedication of our partnership work with the DWP and Gatwick.”
To find out more about how to get involved with our employability courses, click here.
