London Gatwick’s STEM centre inspires 1,000 students and visitors
- London Gatwick’s STEM centre has been visited by more than 1,000 students since it opened in October
- Students from local schools, prospective employees and apprentices have all attended various events
- Skills in science, technology, engineering and maths are critical to aviation and the running of the airport
More than 1,000 students have visited London Gatwick’s STEM centre (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) since it opened in October 2023.
The STEM centre, a bespoke space to engage and teach school children across the region about STEM and aviation, has hosted 47 school visits and counting. Activities on offer include water treatment, engineering rigs and creating solar power electric vehicles.
STEM is vital at London Gatwick with hundreds of career options available at the airport itself and the many partners who work together to keep the airport running.
More than 225 people also attended the STEM centre for careers and apprenticeship fairs to explore future job opportunities at the airport.
A National Apprenticeship Week event in February saw 120 students and jobseekers visit the STEM centre, with 11 different employers offering a range of apprenticeships, which has since seen people begin roles in engineering and retail.
Alison Addy, Head of External Engagement and Policy, London Gatwick said: “It is fantastic to have reached this milestone of 1,000 engagements at the STEM centre and counting! The STEM centre is truly a space where you can learn and be inspired with a mix of theory and practical sessions on offer; there is something for everyone.
“The interest and feedback we’ve had from local schools and colleges has been the real evidence of the STEM centre’s success
“A diverse and skilled pipeline of local talent is critical to a healthy labour market and London Gatwick’s future growth. The STEM centre is at the heart of London Gatwick’s Employment, Skills and Business Strategy, which shapes the future direction of the airport’s work in developing opportunities for the region.”
Julian Sims, Head of Careers, Oakwood School in Horley has visited the STEM centre with students several times. He said: “The environment of the STEM centre is perfect. The London Gatwick team were polite, helpful and engaging with our students, bringing the airport working environment to life. The students really enjoyed the blend of theory and practical in the sessions.”
The STEM centre will also benefit from new resources including investment in Lego sets which enable students to use coding to build and control robots.
The STEM centre, situated landside at the airport, is part of a one-year pilot to test demand and gain feedback from students and schools to inform the airport’s longer-term STEM education and engagement plans under the Northern Runway Employment Skills and Business Strategy. The space has classrooms, tablets and quiet areas, providing the opportunity for both theory and practical learning. There are also dedicated facilities for students with special educational needs.
London Gatwick is investing in its long-term future and its planning application to bring the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use, has now entered the examination phase with the Planning Inspectorate. This low-impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism, and new jobs.
London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport and is a vital piece of national infrastructure that helps drive both the regional and national economy. More than 40 airlines fly from the airport to over 150 short-haul and more than 45 long-haul destinations. The airport is focused on rebuilding and growing sustainably in the long term. It has ambitious plans to be a net zero airport by 2030 and increase capacity by bringing its Northern runway into routine use. Vinci Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.99% interest.
The world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Thanks to its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimizing operational performance, modernizing infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.
For more information:
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is a leading infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors. With decarbonization central to our investment thesis, we are well positioned to support the global energy transition. Headquartered in New York, GIP has offices in Brisbane, Dallas, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, Singapore, Stamford and Sydney.
GIP has approximately $106 billion in assets under management. Our portfolio companies have combined annual revenues of approximately $75 billion and employ over 115,000 people. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our investors' capital and to create positive economic impact for communities. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com.
