UK. Leading UK travel retail and brand experience specialist Blackjack Promotions is providing manpower to support COVID-19 testing sites at Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh airports.
Blackjack parent company ABM has partnered with Cignpost Diagnostics – which runs Express Test sites across the UK – to provide 250 trained team members to service manpower needs at the airport sites.
ABM said it is utilising Blackjack’s flexible staffing expertise to provide an agile manpower resource. “With the undeniable challenges faced by the aviation industry, ABM has drawn on its talented pool of people to help in the fight against COVID-19, while retaining jobs,” the company said.
Services provided by the highly trained team include carrying out swab tests, car park marshalling and on-site administration that ensures checking samples are collected correctly and sent to laboratories efficiently and safely.
“With a talent pool of incredible people, the partnership with Cignpost was an opportunity to diversify our business, while retaining the jobs of our team members” – ABM Head of Business Development (UK Aviation Bbusiness) Rob Stefanovic
ABM Head of Business Development (UK Aviation Business) Rob Stefanovic commented: “The aviation and travel retail industries have faced unprecedented challenges over the past 12 months. But, with a talent pool of incredible people, the partnership with Cignpost was an opportunity to diversify our business, while retaining the jobs of our team members.
“While we remain committed to the aviation industry, this collaboration demonstrates the level of flexible service and agility which we can provide our clients through these challenging times.”
Team members have undergone role-specific training, which covers safe practice of administering the test, working safely and ensuring customers are protected and understanding the test process.
Cignpost Diagnostics CEO Christian Corney added: “ABM’s team is a perfect fit for the vital role of helping us deliver fast and accurate PCR COVID-19 tests at our nation’s primary airports.
“Their experience in the airport environment and understanding of how to support passengers is incredibly valuable in enabling Express Test to deliver class-leading COVID-19 screening to the public.”
Last year, ABM established an Expert Advisory Council, which includes external leading experts in infectious disease and industrial hygiene, to advise on many aspects of ABM UK’s business, including its EnhancedClean programme. The three-step approach is designed to help clients return to their facilities safely and navigate change in a post-COVID world.
As reported, Blackjack Promotions launched a ‘Be Ready’ campaign to educate and support its employees on returning to work safely in airports in May last year.
“The Be Ready campaign is about taking immediate steps to consider what measures Blackjack need to take to be ready for a safe return to work and will form a critical step in the journey to remobilising the airport community,” the company said.
