A new education centre at Stansted Airport was visited by Employment Minister Priti Patel on Monday, 15 June, to see how it is boosting employment opportunities.

Aerozone Stansted, is working with young people to increase skills in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) and highlighting careers in aviation.

The project opened on June 10 and is hoping to attract more than 5,000 young people by 2016.

Mrs Patel said: “Local jobcentres are working hard with employers to make sure people have the right skills to take up the jobs created by the growing economy.

“It’s clear from everyone I spoke to that Stansted’s education centre and training programmes are supporting jobseekers to transform their lives by helping them into careers - which is good news for the airport and the wider local community.”

Stansted Airport is the biggest employment site in the East of England and provides award winning training and education programmes.

Managing director of Stansted Airport, Andrew Harrison, said: “We were extremely pleased that Priti’s first official ministerial visit to Essex was to Stansted to see at first hand the training and employment opportunities available at the airport.

“Engaging with young people, particularly those living in areas close to the airport, is a vital part of our community work.

“We want to encourage and inspire young people to think about what the airport does, why it does it, and the career opportunities that could be available to them in the future.”