Education

At Belfast City Airport, our passion is inspiring the next generation through education. Through our CR strategy, we continually strive to create and develop educational opportunities for young people across Belfast and beyond, to realise their aspirations and potential for a better future.

IGNITE Youth Leadership Programme

In 2019, we teamed up with Cinemagic to launch our flagship CR initiative – IGNITE, a new youth leadership programme which will provide valuable and potentially life-changing opportunities for 100 young people over the next five years.

Our IGNITE programme offers young people the opportunity to gain an NLP Diploma in Personal and Career Development which will help them understand their personal skills, strengths and values and develop the confidence to pursue their own interests with passion and determination.

Throughout the course of the year-long programme, we give participants the opportunity to collaborate with youth organisations, foundations, charities, representatives from other businesses in the private sector and also recognised names in the field of sports, film and politics.

Inaugural Graduation

Twenty pupils from various secondary schools and Further Educational Colleges across Belfast were the first group to complete the year-long programme in 2020.

Year 2 of the IGNITE Leadership programme commenced in September 2020 and upon completing the programme, will be presented with an NLP Diploma at a dedicated graduation ceremony.

Adopted Schools

The adopted schools programme aims to utilise the expertise of the business community for the enrichment and improvement of the education provision in Northern Ireland.

Participation will enable schools to become more efficient and business-like in their approach and excellence is promoted in schools. Students, in turn are encouraged to become life-long learners, to become socially responsible citizens and meaningful participants in a culturally diverse world.

We have adopted seven schools within the local area and enjoy a close relationship with Victoria Park Primary School, St Joseph's Primary School, Mitchell House School, St Malachy's Primary School, Towerview Primary School, Seaview Primary School and St Kevin's Primary School.

Time to Read

Our 'Time to Read Initiative' is offered within school time in a group environment where local business-people read on a one-to-one basis with children, supporting their reading progress and giving them an insight into the world of work.

In conjunction with Business in the Community, we have linked up with a number of local schools including St Matthew's Primary, Holywood Primary and most recently, Knocknagoney Primary.

High Flyers Apprenticeship Scheme

Experience is the best way of learning...and there is no better way to gain experience than through our High Flyers Apprenticeship Scheme.

We offer apprenticeship placements for young people between the ages of 16-24 for up to two years across a range of disciplines. The scheme aims to boost employability by giving young people the opportunity to achieve workplace experience and vocational qualifications while being mentored by experienced staff.

For more information on our High Flyers Apprenticeship Scheme, contact community@bca.aero

Work Experience

Experiencing the aviation industry first-hand is an invaluable opportunity but one that is inaccessible to most. However, through our partnership with Business in the Community and its Work Experience Charter Programme, we are proud to offer this opportunity to the young people of Northern Ireland.

Through three-day work-shadowing placements, students aged 14 to 17 years old can gain knowledge of what it is like to have a career in the aviation sector and what it takes to work in an airport setting.

All requests for work experience should be made by contacting Joanne Mehaffy, Charter Project Manager on 02890 451444 or by emailing joanne.mehaffy@bitcni.org.uk. Requests for work experience must be made by the School Careers teacher and cannot be taken from students, parents, relatives, friends or any other individual.

Educational Visits

Annually we accommodate over 20 educational visits to the Airport where groups can experience the airport environment and get a taste of life in a variety of aviation roles.

These educational visits are ideally suited to secondary school age and upwards and includes a behind the scenes look of the terminal building from one of our dedicated employees.

To book a visit to the airport or for more information on our educational initiatives please email: community@bca.aero