The Manston Skills and Employment Board (MSE-B) was one of a number of organisations from across East Kent which attended the annual ‘Big Bang’ STEM event at Discovery Park this week. Students attending the show explored the model of the Manston site, were briefed on RSP’s plans for Manston – and the wide range of potential careers that they could consider in the aviation sector.

The MSE-Board was established in January 2019 to ensure local people get the maximum benefit from the reopening of Manston Airport. RSP is committed to local recruitment and local procurement, and the MSE-B will ensure people from East Kent have the right skills to take the wide range of jobs that will be created.

The MSE-Board considers the future employment and skills needs of the airport following DCO approval, from planning and construction through to operation. The aim of the MSE-B is to ensure that Manston and associated businesses will have access to well-trained and experienced potential employees across a diverse range of skill sets. The MSE-B will do this by ensuring a comprehensive range of services are available to young people, job seekers and employers in the area around the airport.

In addition to RSP Manston Director Tony Freudmann and Strategy & Innovation Consultant Dr Sally Dixon, of Azimuth Associates, the MSE-B membership currently includes representatives from:

• Dover District Council
• Canterbury City Council
• Kent County Council
• EKC Group
• Canterbury Christ Church University/EDGE Hub
• Kent and Medway Skills Commission
• The Education People
• Jobcentre Plus
• Discovery Park
• Thanet and East Kent Chamber of Commerce

Board representation is available to unrepresented local councils and business sectors.