Manchester Airport jobs: huge jobs fair in Wythenshawe with hundreds of roles available

Hundreds of roles at Manchester Airport will be available to jobseekers as the travel hub hosts a massive jobs fair.

More than a dozen employers based at the airport will be hoping to meet potential staff at the event at Wythenshawe Forum, with positions in everything from security to hospitality.

Manchester Airport is currently engaged on the biggest recruitment drive in its history.

And that is happening amid weeks of negative publicity caused by staff shortages meaning huge queues at the terminal buildings, some facilities not being available and misery for passengers.

When and where is the airport jobs fair and which roles are available?

The jobs fair takes place at Wythenshawe Forum on Tuesday 24 May between 10am and 1pm.

The airport is trying to fill hundreds of roles in security alone, and the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is also looking to recruit for posts including engineers, traffic marshals and hospitality chefs.

Other employers based at the airport will also be looking to fill roles such as check-in, baggage handling, retail and jobs at food and drink facilities.

The airport’s operator has arranged the jobs fair in partnership with Manchester City Council, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Manchester Airport Academy.

The Academy helps people who have been unemployed back into work and offers free tailored training programmes and CV-writing workshops. It will also have a walk-in facility at the jobs fair.

Employers who will be at the jobs fair include Mitie, dNata, Stobart Aviation, ICTS Security and Menzies Aviation from the aviation industry, eateries who have outlets at the airport such as Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Greggs and Barburrito and retailers like WHSmith, JD Sports, World Duty Free, Travelex.

Airport restaurant operator SSP will also be looking to fill vacancies.

The airport is urgently recruiting new staff as shortages have led to weeks of chaos for travellers, with massive queues to get through security, lounge reservations being cancelled as capacity is reduced and the fast track security option being temporarily axed.

The travel hub says it wants to have hundreds of new staff starting their jobs this month.

What do I need to do before turning up at the jobs fair?

To book a free place at the Wythenshawe Forum jobs fair visit the Eventbrite page here.

Information about careers with the Manchester Airports Group is available here. To find out about jobs with other on-site organisations, visit their websites or go to local jobs sites.

Anyone who can’t make it to Wythenshawe can also visit Bolton Council’s jobs fair on 26 May, as the airport will be there as well.

What has been said about the recruitment efforts?

Ian Costigan, interim managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “The last two years have been challenging for us but the outlook for this summer is much more positive and we are looking forward to helping our guests get away on their well-earned breaks once more.

“To do that, we need to bring more people into our operation, and the event at Wythenshawe Forum will give jobseekers in our neighbouring communities an opportunity to find out more about the wealth of career options on their doorstep.

“We are making good progress in our recruitment drive. More than 1,600 people applied for jobs here in April alone and around 200 new starters are expected to join the operation this month, which will allow us to open additional security lanes during peak periods and improve customer service.

“We still need to expand our team further, though, so if you’re enthusiastic, customer-oriented and looking for the opportunity to do something different, we’d love to hear from you.”

Coun Gavin White, executive member for employment for Manchester City Council, said: “As Manchester Airport continues to recover strongly from the impacts of the pandemic, there are a wide range of job and career opportunities being created which residents of Wythenshawe and other parts of Manchester are well placed to benefit from.

“We’re pleased to have been involved in organising this jobs fair and would encourage anyone who is interested to get themselves along and find out more. It could be the start of an exciting journey.”