Is the Certificate in Airport Ramp Services (CARS060) enough to get hired airside?

It is a recognised starting credential, but airlines and handling agents will still put you through their own induction, airside driving permits and station-specific training before you work on stand.

How is CARS060 different from a general aviation certificate?

General aviation certificates skim across the industry. CARS060 is narrower and deeper, focusing on the ramp environment, turnaround flow and the safety culture you actually need to function airside.

Do I need any aviation experience before starting?

No. The Certificate in Airport Ramp Services (CARS060) is designed as an entry route, so prior airport experience is helpful but not required.

Can I study CARS060 fully online?

Mode of study is confirmed at enrolment. Some elements lend themselves to online learning, while airside familiarisation is generally reinforced by the employer once you are hired.

How long does the course take?

As a certificate-level qualification it is shorter than diploma routes. Exact duration depends on intake and study pace and is confirmed by admissions.

Will this help if I later want to move into load control or dispatch?

Yes. A solid grounding in ramp services is a sensible base before moving into load control or turnaround coordination, both of which require further specific training.

Certificate in Airport Ramp Services (CARS060) | LSTH London | Harold International College of London

Certificate in Airport Ramp Services (CARS060) at LSTH

Ramp is the part of the airport most travellers never really see, yet it is where every flight is made or broken. The Certificate in Airport Ramp Services (CARS060) is a short, focused entry route for people who want to work airside as part of a ground-handling team. If you have ever watched a turnaround at Heathrow or Gatwick and wondered who choreographs the bags, the catering, the tow tractor and the pushback, that is the world this course opens up.

The programme is designed for school leavers and career changers who want a recognised starting point before applying for ramp agent, baggage handler or load control trainee roles with airlines and handling companies. It sits comfortably alongside more general aviation certificates by going deeper into one specific airside discipline.

Why Ramp Work Still Matters

Even with automation creeping in, ramp services remain a people-driven environment. Delays cascade across networks, and IROPs (irregular operations) at one stand can wreck a whole day of scheduling. Handling companies recruit constantly because turnover is high and standards are non-negotiable. A clear, sector-specific certificate makes your CV easier to pick out of a stack.

Who the Certificate in Airport Ramp Services (CARS060) Is For

School leavers aiming at a first airside role with a handling agent or airline.
Workers from retail, logistics or warehousing looking to move to airport operations.
International students who want a focused, recognised UK entry credential.
Existing aviation staff (check-in, gate) who want to add ramp competence.

Where Graduates Typically Go

Most learners use the Certificate in Airport Ramp Services (CARS060) as a stepping stone into ramp agent, baggage handler, dispatcher trainee or GSE driver assistant positions. Some move into load control or turnaround coordination after building experience. Progression usually depends on additional airline-specific or station-specific training delivered by employers after hiring.

How the Programme Is Delivered

Delivery options and intake calendar are confirmed at enrolment. Module structure is finalised then too. The course concentrates on airside safety culture, basic ramp equipment awareness, turnaround sequencing and the etiquette of working under pressure inside a controlled airside environment.

Entry Requirements

Completed secondary education or equivalent.
IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for international applicants.
Minimum age 17 at enrolment.
Reasonable physical fitness for airside work is expected by future employers, not by LSTH directly.

Apply for the Certificate in Airport Ramp Services (CARS060)

If a clean, sector-specific airside credential is what you need to step into ground handling, click Enroll Now and the LSTH admissions team will respond within one working day.