Our economic role

Target 2005/06: 100% implementation of the economic development and regeneration strategy action plan for 2005/06, in order to maximise the local economic and social benefits of Heathrow.

Performance against target
Of the 18 actions, 13 were fully achieved; 5 were partly achieved. 

Our objectives and strategy
BAA Heathrow’s involvement in the social and economic development of its local area has been guided by two strategies.  The Economic Development and Regeneration Strategy, published in 2003 and covering the period 2003 to 2008, sets out six objectives:

• Help local businesses to capitalise on the economic advantages provided by Heathrow.
• Improve the skills of local people in accordance with employers’ needs.
• Promote Heathrow as a prime employment option for local people.
• Make the Heathrow area a better place to live and work.
• Engage business partners, educational institutions and other organisations in economic development and regeneration.
• Work with key stakeholders so that policies and funding decisions reflect the needs and opportunities of the Heathrow area.

The Local Labour Strategy, published in 2002, sets out how BAA and its partners will work together to maximise the contribution that BAA’s capital investment programme at Heathrow, particularly Terminal 5, makes to local education, training and employment. BAA contributes £150,000 each year to support implementation of the strategy.

The priority area for both strategies comprises the west London boroughs of Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow and the borough councils of Slough and Spelthorne.

Our performance

Recruitment Red Bus
BAA’s Red Bus took to the road in Hayes, Feltham and Southall. Targeting local residents who are interested in a retail career at Heathrow, the bus brings together BAA, Jobcentre Plus and a range of training providers to give comprehensive advice on job opportunities, training programmes and public transport. 

Routes to Work programme
The Routes to Work programme, managed by Southall Regeneration Partnership with funding from the London Development Agency and BAA, provided retail training to over 400 local residents. Together with the Red Bus, around 70 local residents have found work at Heathrow.

Workplace Coordinator
At Terminal 5, the Workplace Co-ordinator project helped 105 unemployed residents from the Heathrow area to access employment and training during the construction of the new terminal over the course of 2005/06. Working for  project managers MACE, the project is funded by BAA and various public sources.

Teacher Resource pack
A Terminal 5 Teacher Resource pack was launched in October.  Drawing together information on the construction and operation of the terminal, and linked to the Work-Related Learning, Enterprise and Applied Business curricula, the pack was developed by BAA, the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) and local education business partnerships.    Copies were sent to all secondary schools in the five boroughs around Heathrow, with an online version available at lsda.org.uk.

T5 bursaries
Four young students from the Heathrow area were awarded Terminal 5 bursaries.  Each bursary provides financial support of £5,000, along with the chance to work on Terminal 5 over the summer.  Thirteen young people are now on the bursary scheme.

Meet the Buyers
The ninth annual Heathrow Meet the Buyers took place in November 2005. The event gives local companies the chance to sell their goods and services to major companies and public agencies based in and around Heathrow.  The event was attended by 283 local suppliers, of which 26% were in black and minority ethnic ownership.

Procurement
An ‘Understanding Airport Procurement’ toolkit was launched by BAA and Supply London in July 2005.  A series of roadshows were staged throughout the Heathrow area to promote the toolkit, which were attended by over 400 local companies.

Going forward
New target for 2006/07:100% implementation of the Economic Development and Regeneration action plan for 2006/07, in order to maximise the local economic and social benefits of Heathrow.