The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has ranked East Midlands Airport (EMA) outstanding for the training it provides for security staff. The CAA’s quality assurance scheme ensures that the training of airport security staff meets the standards needed to keep people safe when flying from UK airports, with EMA last assessed as outstanding two years ago.
Airport security staff are required to be trained in several disciplines including body-searches, identifying ‘threatening’ objects, X-ray, baggage screening and patrols. Also included is a module on modern slavery so staff are well-equipped to look out for behaviours which may indicate people smuggling.
EMA has a dedicated in-house training team which carries out refresher training sessions for existing staff, as well as training for new recruits. January will see a new drive for more security staff, who will need to be qualified ready for April when the peak season begins.
Eliza Eabry, EMA’s security training manager, welcomed the recent assessment. She said: “Safety and security is our number one priority so it’s vital we get this part of the airport operation right.
“Another ‘outstanding’ assessment of our security training from the Civil Aviation Authority is a fantastic endorsement of our efforts. This gives peace of mind to our customers and is at the heart of the hassle-free experience they have come to expect from East Midlands Airport.”
