London Luton Airport (LLA) has launched a new-look apprenticeship scheme, creating new career pathways for local people and underlining its commitment to local skills development. 

Working closely with Bedford College, online provider LDN Apprenticeships, and West Hertfordshire College Group, LLA recently welcomed its first cohort of the apprenticeship programme. The six apprentices are now embarking on 12 to 18-month apprenticeships across a range of disciplines including Sustainability, Health & Safety, Digital Marketing, Guest Experience and Commercial. Placements for the scheme were targeted to local people aged 18 years and over living in LU1 to LU4 postcodes.

Highlighting the diversity of LLA’s career pathways, the new recruits will work towards a range of industry-recognised apprenticeship qualifications including: 
•    Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner
•    Level 3 Business Administrator
•    Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer
•    Level 4 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner

The LLA apprenticeship scheme forms part of LLA’s evolving education and skills development initiatives that includes its flagship ‘Classroom to Careers’ programme. To date, the hugely successful programme has seen volunteers from across the airport deliver tailored learning opportunities, including essential skills and environmental workshops, to over 300 students from 11 local schools last year.  

Nik Jones, HR Director at London Luton Airport, commented: “Our new look apprenticeship programme aims to provide people within our local community with opportunities to access supported employment across a diverse range of career paths at London Luton Airport. As one of the UK’s busiest airports, and a key anchor employer of Luton*, LLA is committed to creating new employment opportunities, stimulating the local economy and contributing to the success and wellbeing of local people, so it's a pleasure to welcome our first cohort of apprentices. We wish them all every success as they embark on the first exciting steps of their chosen careers.” 

Councillor Javeria Hussain, Luton Council’s Portfolio Holder for skills and employability, said: “Luton Council has worked with London Luton Airport to develop their new apprenticeship scheme and we are delighted to see the first cohort of apprentices officially begin their journey. This scheme is helping to deliver on our Luton 2040 vision to help our local young people to raise their aspirations, grow their skills and access high quality career pathways.”

Gina Bubbins, Director of Business Engagement and Partnerships at Bedford College, said: “The Bedford College Group is the largest provider of post-16 education and training in Bedfordshire. This new partnership with London Luton Airport represents a fantastic opportunity for our apprenticeship students to gain experience working within such a multi-faceted and dynamic organisation. Apprenticeships not only enrich student learning but also support economic growth and skills development within the locality, helping to directly address the 'skills gap'. LLA is a crucial organisation within the community, and we are delighted to be a catalyst for great local opportunities going to skilled local people.”

Last year, LLA Resourcing Lead* Tiana Warren was awarded the highly commended Young Apprentice of the Year award at the Luton Borough Council Apprenticeship Awards, after completing her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship at the airport. 

Tiana commented: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to kick-start a career, as they allow you to earn while you learn and gain valuable, hands-on experience in the workplace. Doing an apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally, and has really helped me to develop my career. I’m proud to see LLA continuing to invest in future talent through this programme and I’m really looking forward to seeing all the great things our new apprentices achieve here."

Notes for Editors

*Tiana completed her apprenticeship as Resourcing Administrator, and has since been promoted to Resourcing Lead.

As the major employer and a key economic driver in Bedfordshire — supporting 28,000 jobs and contributing £830 million per year to the local economy — LLA is committed to providing employment to local people. Half of employees recruited by the airport last year resided in an LU1 to LU4 postcode. 

London Luton Airport is a member of the Luton Anchors’ Framework, reinforcing the airport’s continued focus on delivering beneficial social value. Alongside local ‘anchor institutions’, LLA will continue to drive and support the Luton 2040 vision of a healthy, fair and sustainable town. 

About London Luton Airport
London Luton Airport (LLA) is one of the UK’s busiest airports, operated by a consortium, of which the majority shareholder is AENA, the world’s largest airport operator, and InfraBridge, a leading infrastructure investment manager. Airlines include Jet2, easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Tui, FlyOne, Sun Express and El Al.

The airport is owned for community benefit by Luton Rising, a company wholly-owned by Luton Council, which has invested more than £500m in front-line, voluntary and charitable services since 1998.

The Luton Airport Express is a new dedicated train service that allows passengers to travel from central London to the LLA terminal in around 30 minutes. The Luton Airport Express runs from St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway station and connects seamlessly with the DART, an electrically powered people mover that connects to the airport terminal in less than four minutes.

In 2024, LLA was named European Airport of the Year (10-25 million passengers) by ACI EUROPE, and in 2025 LLA received the highest possible rating of 'Very Good' in the annual Airport Accessibility report published by the CAA, assessing assisted travel service performance.

In 2023, LLA also achieved Level 4 of the globally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme, demonstrating that it is ‘transforming its operations to achieve carbon reductions in line with global climate goals’. With a maximum score of 100 and a five-star rating, LLA has been ranked as a sector leader for four consecutive years in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) benchmark of sustainability governance management and performance of major infrastructure assets worldwide.

LLA continues to be a major employer and a key economic driver in Bedfordshire — supporting 28,000 jobs and contributing £830 million per year to the local economy. In 2024, LLA spent 60% of its supply chain costs with more than 300 businesses within a 25-mile radius of the airport, totalling £110 million.

Contact Details:
London Luton Airport Press Office
T: 01582 395333
E: pressoffice@ltn.aero

URL: https://mediahub.london-luton.co.uk/news/welcome-llas-new-local-apprentices/08122025