Ara, our airport jobs and skills hub
Our airport and surrounding business district is growing quickly. This growth is generating thousands of long-term jobs. Today, over 20,000 people work at and around the airport in more than 800 businesses. Insight Economics estimates that our investment in building our ‘airport of the future’ will create more than 27,000 full-time jobs over the next 30 years.
Local people tell us that stable work near their homes is important to them. They want their children to work locally and build careers in South Auckland too.
Ara, our airport jobs and skills hub, is connecting South Auckland people with job and training opportunities as we build and run the airport over the next three decades.
Since November 2015, Ara has placed hundreds of people into employment. Most of these people come from South Auckland and about half have come off benefits. Thousands of people have successfully completed training through Ara, including people building their skills through apprenticeships.
Ara has is also connecting students from secondary schools with work experience to support their NCEA studies.
Thanks to our Ara partners: the South Auckland community, Fletchers, Hawkins, other local employers and the South Harbour Business Association, the Ministries of Social Development, Business, Innovation and Employment, and Education, the Tertiary Education Commission, Auckland Council, local schools and tertiary institutes, and industry training organisations and training providers.
We’re excited about Ara and what it means for South Auckland and our development plans.
Work experience with Ara
Ara, our airport jobs and skills hub, connects South Auckland secondary students with work experience at the airport to support their NCEA studies. In 2017 68 students from five schools, Aorere College, Māngere College, Manurewa High School, Southern Cross Campus and Onehunga High School, took part in our work experience programme. We will extend the programme to cover more schools and students in coming years. Find out more about Ara.
Our Auckland Airport Education Scholarships include paid work experience in a customer services role.