A record number of Newcastle College students have joined a training programme at Newcastle Airport.
The airport, in collaboration with Newcastle College, runs the Ambassador Programme for Aviation Operations students from the college's Aviation Academy.
The academy is a specialised teaching facility located near the airport's runway.
The programme, aimed at second-year Aviation Operations students, is part of their studies.
It allows them to gain experience by working alongside industry professionals at the airport's training facilities, which include a 1,500-square-metre hangar housing real aircraft.
This year, 62 students are part of the programme, almost double the number last year.
They are learning about different departments, including security, passenger services, operations, air traffic control, and business development.
Last year, 52 per cent of the students on the programme went on to gain employment at the airport or with its partners.
Student Phoebe Kenny, 17, said: "It has been a great experience and I am really enjoying helping the passengers who need assistance.
"The Ambassador Programme is great for getting your foot in the door and I’m learning so much working with teams across all the different departments at the airport."
Alice Andreasen, chief sustainability and communications officer at Newcastle Airport and Newcastle College board member, said: "Newcastle Airport is proud to be able to support so many talented and ambitious students through its long-term partnership with Newcastle College.
"It is inspiring to see so many of them excel as they learn new skills and grow in confidence whilst working alongside our teams, with many going on to secure employment at the airport, with our business partners or elsewhere in the industry."
Craig Cowan, head of curriculum at Newcastle College, said: "We are very proud of our longstanding partnership with Newcastle Airport and in particular our Ambassador Programme.
"It supports our students in their studies, develops their confidence, and is an excellent example of how Newcastle College works in partnership with industry to help our students gain real skills and experience that make them employable.
"I have no doubt this year’s cohort will excel thanks to the Ambassador Programme and I am looking forward to seeing their success."
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