Gatwick Airport the second largest Airport in the UK employing roughly 25,000 staff. Investment in the airport in the last 10nyears has been around £800 million which has seen a steady increase in the number of jobs available. Further investment and talks of an extra runway will lead to the number of passengers and staff rise dramatically.

Jobs at Gatwick are available in all sectors and levels of qualifications. Since the airport is a 24 hour operation 365 days a year, the shifts available will vary according to job needs but will include, full time, part time, shift work, night, shift and day shift.

The range of jobs doesn't just refer to the airlines such as pilots and flight attendants bt also the cleaning companies, ground staff, baggage handlers security and retail shops. Near to Gatwick airport there is also a good choice of hotels who are always looking to take on good staff.

Types of Job

Sector - Transport and Logistics

Baggage handler

The baggage handlers need to reasonably fit, able to lift heavy bags manually and ensure that the job is done quickly and efficiently taking luggage off and loading it onto the plane to ensure the plane is ready for a quick turnaround keeping in mind safety implication and care of the customer baggage. Airports, airlines and ground handling companies are the usual employers of baggage handlers with around 5000 jobs being created at UK airports.

Passenger Service Supervisor

As the name suggests a Passenger service supervisor is responsible for overseeing the service staff and making sure that passengers that come into contact with check in staff, ticket staff, desk clerks and information point staff get the best service possible and that the operation runs like clockwork

Load Planning Officer( Aircraft)

A load planning officers job involves the efficiency of the aircraft in terms of safety and economics so the aircraft can get airborne, fly and land. They determine the best seating arrangements fro passengers and load balancing of the cargo. Training is usually carried out within a working environment and can involve gaining recognised qualifications such as NVQ in Planning Aircraft payloads, level 3. Job prospect can include moving to post such as Load Planning Manager, Flight Operation Officer or Airport Duty Manager.

Passenger Check In Officer

The role of the passenger check in officer is to check in passengers and luggage for there flights. The job involves dealing with passenger queries, examining travelers documents including passports and tickets, assigning seats, supplying boarding cards, weighing the baggage of travelers and attaching tickets and ask security questions.

Air Traffic Controller

Air traffic controllers are in constant touch with aircraft to ensure the safe movement of the plane during flight, giving advice on height, speed and route. Located either in the control centre, air traffic tower or on the ground guiding the aircraft in and out of the airport, upon landing and to the Terminal . Depending on the airport the job can be extremely busy with planes coming every minute.

Flight Operators Officer/Manager

Flight operations Managers are in charge of the operations operational control centre. Officers gather detailed flight data including weather and airport details and keeps the pilot informed.

Sector - Security

Security Officer/Manager

To apply for this role you would need to have a security guard license if working in England, Scotland or Wales. The job role involves the security of airport buildings valuables, and passengers throughout the journey.

Firefighter/Officer

The role of the firefighter in an airport will involve a lot of the same type of training, to minimise the risk of death and injury and damage to property including aircraft in crisis situations. Where the first priority will always be to save life. However working at the airport, they may have trained all of there lives and may not encounter any incidents. In the event of a crash, the job of the firefighter is then taken to the extreme with people trapped in a burning aircraft.

Sector - Catering and hospitality

Fast Food Service Assistant

The role involves the serving of meals, drinks and snacks to customers. Depending on the size and type of shop you may also be required to prepare hot and cold food. Heathrow has a wide diversity of eating establishments including TGI Friday's, Starbucks, apostrophe sandwich shop etc.

Sector - Transport and logistics

Freight Forwarder

The role involves coordinating how goods are transferred, imported and exported to local and international destinations.

Air Cabin Crew

The role of the air cabin crew is to make sure that passengers are safe, secure and comfortable throughout the flight. In constant contact with the passengers they serve the in-flight meals, refreshments and duty free goods during the journey. Hours will not suit everyone with shifts and days being worked, that vary depending on the destination.

Sector Personal and other services

Cleaner

The role of the cleaner within an airport environment will depend on your employer who is usually contracted to clean either the airport terminal building or the aircraft with tasks that include cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, mopping, cleaning of washrooms . The use of heavy floor cleaning equipment may also be required. An aircraft cleaner is required to clean the aircraft after a plane has landed and before it takes off again, which usually requires a quick turnaround.

Sector - Transport and logistics

Chauffeurs/chauffeuse

Chauffeurs at Heathrow work for the local transport companies usually providing a service for corporate and celebrity clients. Responsibilities include driving, maintaining and cleaning the car for an employer or they can be luxury car owner drivers. The job will involve opening and closing doors, carrying luggage, wearing a suit and you would need a clean driving licence with a good knowledge of London. Shift work would be required. Personal skills needed for the job would be to be able to communicate well, punctual, discrete and polite.

Sector - Building and Construction

Civil Engineer

Due to the continued expansion and redevelopment of Heathrow Airport, civil engineers are needed. The role would usually involve working on large construction projection from conception to completion and would include projects such as bridges, tunnels, roads, airports, pipelines and power supply systems.

Aerospace engineers

The main employers of aerospace engineers are airline companies, airline manufacturers and the armed forces. The role involves the research, design and manufacture of aircraft and space vehicles. Working on the Aircraft frames, hydraulics and pneumatics, engines and fuel systems, and on materials and structures. For some employers work would also be required on communications systems for aircraft, missiles, satellites and spacecraft.

Sector - Transport and logistics

Airline Pilot

An airline pilot is in charge of the aircraft and are in charge over the rest of the workers on the plane and the safety of the passengers and aircraft and smooth running of the aircraft. The number of pilots operating the airline will depend on the size of the airplane and the distance it a has to fly, it may be 2, 3 or 4. Employers are from a range of sectors with the more well known being airlines operators offering scheduled, chartered and freight services and one of the biggest employers is the business aviation sector which includes private aircraft, flying schools, transport of oil and gas.

Sector - Building and construction

Dry Liner

To enable the construction of Terminals a Dry Liner is responsible for installing suspended ceilings and partitions user plasterboard and fixings, used to segregate areas, hide wiring improve acoustics. A dry Liner may be also responsible for applying the finished plaster coat to the surface in preparation before decorating.