Exploring the Aviation Industry and Aviation Environment qualifications and training courses

Last Updated: 06 Jun 2023

Important Update: All awarding organisations are required by external regulators and funding agencies to regularly review performance and take-up of their products and services. Following a review City & Guilds has come to the difficult decision to no longer offer qualifications in Aviation.

When we carry out reviews, there are a wide range of factors that are considered, including the number of learners taking the qualifications, assessment needs, funding, and government plans. Some qualifications are being retired, which means the published last learner registration date will not be extended. Some qualifications are being withdrawn, which means we will be bringing forward the last registration date for learners. We will of course continue to fully support our customers and learners throughout the life of the qualifications and certification activities.

Please review the revised end registration dates on our website and catalogue.

These qualifications allows learners wishing to enter the aviation industry an opportunity to learn what it covers from cabin crew to ground operations. Level 2 and 3 can help you progress to get a job in an airport - anything from organising ramps on the runway to working on a check-in desk.

The level 1 Certificate is aimed at new learners starting their career in the aviation sector. It will enable the learner to fully understand what the industry is all about and assist them with their progression to differing area's within the sector.

A level 2 or 3 Certificate or Diploma in the Aviation Environment is for anybody who wants a career in aviation, working in an airport or with aircrafts.

Available to deliver in the following:

England
Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
Scotland
Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form.

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

In the Aviation Environment you'll cover things like:

Airport check-in services
Arrivals and boarding
Baggage processing and facilities
Loading/unloading aircraft
Aircraft marshalling
Passenger services/support

In the Exploring the Aviation Industry you will cover topics such as:

Aviation Terminology
Airport location geography
Customer service in aviation

You will learn with your training provider - maybe through practical sessions, group discussions or assignments.

Which level is right for me?

Level 1
For candidates who are interested in a career in the Aviation Industry.

Level 2
You have some knowledge and basic skills in the aviation industry. You want to develop your knowledge and gain the skills to move into more specialised areas and take on more responsibility at work.

Level 3
You have experience working in the aviation industry in ground operations. You want to progress your career and take on greater responsibility at work.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can lead to a range of roles including:

Airport baggage handler
Passenger services
Airside operations
Landside operations

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

In order to offer these qualifications, you will need qualified assessors - you can train internal members of staff or recruit specially.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

You can get automatic approval for the Aviation Environment qualifications if you offer the award/certificate/diploma in Aviation Environment (4941) and for the level 1 Exploring the Aviation Industry, if you currently deliver the 4883 qualification, then you can also apply for fast track approval.

Download the form for automatic approval from the centre documents section.

Anyone can take this qualification. To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

Level 1

This qualification is for candidates who are interested in a career in the Aviation Industry

It allows candidates to learn, develop and practise the skills required for employment and/or career progression in the aviation sector.

It allows candidates to progress into employment or to the following City & Guilds qualifications:

• Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to Travel and Tourism Industry
• Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Travel and Tourism Industry
• Level 2 Certificate in Introduction to Cabin Crew

What Careers Can This Lead To?

On successful achievement of this qualifications it is likely that you will continue with your learning within your chosen route, whether this is as cabin crew or into aviation operations. You could also continue within the travel sector and obtain a position within a travel agency.

Level 1 Certificate in Exploring the Aviation Industry (4955-01)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 1 Certificate in Exploring the Aviation Industry

Accreditation No: 600/5600/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 13 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 101 - 101 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 130 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £87.40 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2

This level will suit you if you have some knowledge and basic skills in the aviation industry. You want to develop your knowledge and gain the skills to move into more specialised areas and take on more responsibility at work.

You choose between two qualifications available at Level 2:

Certificate in Aviation Operations on the Ground (Knowledge)
Diploma in the Aviation Environment.

For either qualification, you'll need to complete three mandatory units:

Health and safety
Aviation security
Aviation communications.

You also complete one (for the certificate) or 10 (for the diploma) optional units. Sample units include:

Airport check-in services
Airport baggage processing
Aircraft marshalling
Aircraft dispatch process.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The Certificate and Diploma in the Aviation Environment can lead to a range of roles including:

Airport baggage handler
Passenger services
Airside operations
Landside operations

Level 2 Certificate in Aviation Operations on the Ground (Knowledge) (4955-22)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 2 Certificate in Aviation Operations on the Ground (Knowledge)

Accreditation No: 501/0814/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 13 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 108 - 108 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 130 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £98.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 Diploma in Aviation Environment (4955-23)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 2 Diploma in Aviation Environment

Accreditation No: 501/0494/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 40 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 310 - 310 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 400 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £135.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

The Level 3 Certificate in Aviation Operations on the Ground (Knowledge) will suit you if you have experience working in a ground operations role in the aviation sector and are looking to progress in your career and take on greater responsibility.

You'll need to complete two mandatory units:

Health and safety in the aviation industry
Security in the aviation industry.

You must also achieve a minimum of two credits from a wide range of optional units, including:

Ramp handling
Bird and wildlife control on airports and airfields
Flight operations
The principles of flight.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The Certificate and Diploma in the Aviation Environment can lead to a range of roles including:

Airport baggage handler
Passenger services
Airside operations
Landside operations

Level 3 Certificate in Aviation Operations on the Ground (knowledge) (4955-03)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 3 Certificate in Aviation Operations on the Ground (Knowledge)

Accreditation No: 501/2261/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 13 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 106 - 596 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 130 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £112.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form.

Exploring the Aviation Industry and Aviation Environment (4955)