Generation Aviation Week, a five-day outreach initiative supported by the Department for Transport (DfT), is underway in the UK.
Aiming to inspire the next generation of industry professionals, a week-long “sector-wide campaign” has started with a launch event at the Heathrow Employment and Skills Academy.
The DfT’s May 2022 ‘Flightpath to the future’ stressed that “unleashing the potential of the next generation of aviation professionals has never been more important,” noting that “it is important that the Government and the sector work together to ensure we have the skills needed for the future”. With this in mind, Generation Aviation Week – the result of a collaboration between industry and government – encompasses a number of events including “recruitment campaigns, promotional activities, and events … to encourage new groups into aviation”.
Monday 31 October saw the week’s campaign officially open, where in an opening address, Transport Minister Baroness Vere explained:
“The aim of Generation Aviation is quite simply, to build an aviation workforce fit for the future – a future that can only be realised by a new generation of aviation workers, from all corners of the country, representing the rich diversity of modern Britain”.
“The aim of Generation Aviation is quite simply, to build an aviation workforce fit for the future”.
A webinar on Tuesday 02 November (in conjunction with Universities UK) will explore the issues universities and graduates face in realising employers’ skill requirements, while the Royal Aeronautical Society’s ‘Careers in Aviation and Aerospace Live’ event (scheduled for Wednesday 03 November) will offer in-person opportunities to network and connect. Now in its 17th year, this day aims to “bring together [the Royal Aeronautical Society’s] strong industry partnerships and thriving network of members” with a variety of visitors; from “experienced professionals” to “the next generation of early career” individuals.
On Wednesday 03 November, a variety of webinars from the Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform, Talentview Aviation and the Department for Work and Pensions are scheduled throughout the day. A final webinar on Friday 04 (featuring “influential people in the aviation industry”) will further echo themes of inclusivity and diversity, including an interview between DfT Director of Aviation and Mike Miller-Smith MBE, the CEO of charity Aerobility.
For more information and links to register for individual events, please visit the Air League’s website:
https://airleague.co.uk/news/generation-aviation-week
