East Midlands Airport launches new training academy to boost OPEX

East Midlands Airport opened a new training academy to boost operational excellence (OPEX). 

The new facility, located next to the airport’s main administrative HQ, was opened last week and includes four bright spacious training rooms with capacity to deliver to 68 learners at a time, along with a remote training room for delivering online learning and a new kitchen and rest area for colleagues.

It’s part of an ongoing £120 million program of investment at the airport, according to the announcement.

Boosting OPEX at East Midlands Airport

The new building is designed to meet all the airport’s training needs which include security, customer services, landside and airfield operations as well as partner organizations operating on the site which undertake training with the airport, stated a press release.

A dedicated in-house training team carries out refresher training sessions for existing staff, as well as training for new recruits. Delivering effortless travel for customers is a core element of the training modules, including those for Customer Ambassadors and members of the award-winning Assisted Travel team.

Another key area of focus is safety, with the airport’s security training receiving the top ranking of ‘outstanding’ from the Civil Aviation Authority at its last inspection two years ago.

Airport security staff are required to be trained in several disciplines including body searches, identifying ‘threatening’ objects, patrols, x-ray and baggage screening. Security officers at East Midlands Airport are now trained in using the next-generation scanning equipment that is in operation in the recently expanded and transformed security hall, allowing all passengers to now leave electronics and liquids in cabin bags.

“It’s fantastic that all our colleagues and new recruits can now receive training in a brand new facility,” said Mike Grimes, director of customer services and planning at East Midlands Airport. “This demonstrates our commitment to making sure that people working in vital parts of our operation are fully equipped to carry out their duties safely and effectively. Ultimately this results in the good customer experience and effortless travel that people who choose East Midlands Airport have come to expect.”

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OPEX is critical for modern airports

Modern airports are increasingly complex operations, requiring excellence across a broad and diverse set of capabilities and the management of many different stakeholders, according to Strategy&, part of PwC.

Increasing service expectations (from both passengers and airlines), regulator-imposed constraints on aeronautical charges and the need to fulfill a national, regional or municipal development role mean that airports are continually challenged in a drive for efficiency, service quality and passenger growth. 

Brussels Airport recently celebrated 10 years of OPEX and innovation, while Dubai Airports received an OPEX award in recognition of transformed operations.

Imagre credit: East Midlands Airport

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