Manchester Airports Group has unveiled a new £500,000 training centre at Stansted Airport, which it acquired last year.

The facility, on the top floor of the airport’s Enterprise House HQ, includes specialist security training areas plus classrooms, IT suites, video conferencing and offices.

The centre, to be known as The Flight Deck, will also be available for hire by external organisations wishing to hold conferences, meetings and events at the airport.

Daniel Gallo, Stansted Airport’s HR director, said: “The new learning centre is testament to MAG’s commitment to the professional and personal development of its colleagues.

“Investing to develop our colleagues at Stansted is key to creating and building a capable and talented workforce, and by investing in training and development we can upskill our employees, helping them to build a successful career at the airport.

“By ensuring we have a firm training and development programme and first class learning facilities, we are confident that we can enhance the quality of existing colleagues and attract new people to our organisation at every level.

“I’m very excited to open the new centre and look forward to seeing our existing and future colleagues benefit and develop their careers from it.”

The airport’s training and development team will use the new facilities to offer a range of Government-approved aviation security courses designed for airports, airlines, the armed forces and private security firms. Delegates can study for the Aviation Security Manager Certificate which covers a range of modules from firearms and dangerous goods to leading and motivating staff.

Teisha Lock, Stansted Airport’s training manager, added: “Together with our expertise, The Flight Deck will enable us to offer first class training courses for a variety of organisations within the aviation and security industry. Our trainers have many years of experience in both security and training which enables them to offer practical advice and support.”