The UK government has launched a new campaign to encourage young people to choose a career in the aviation sector.
The Generation Aviation initiative forms the latest part of the government’s 22-point plan, which was first launched in June, to minimise disruption at airports and address the ongoing staffing shortages across the sector.
The new campaign will raise awareness through the Reach for the Sky programme of outreach events to educate young people from different backgrounds on the career opportunities aviation offers.
The government is also relaunching its Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform (ASRP) to allow new entrants and existing workers to find roles. Meanwhile aviation “ambassadors” from across the sector will also be tasked with promoting its career opportunities.
This campaign involves both the government and the industry working together to help recruit new workers. It was launched on Monday (31 October) at London’s Heathrow Employment & Skills Academy.
Diversity and inclusion will form an important part of the campaign and this includes working with Aerobility, a charity helping people with disabilities get into aviation, through funding the Virtual Aerobility programme.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “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.
“This will be followed by several events over the coming days aimed at students, those already in other careers looking to make a future in aviation, and those already in the industry keen to progress or seek new skills and roles.”
As part of the Generation Aviation programme, Heathrow airport has set the target of creating 10,000 jobs and apprenticeships, as well as providing 15,000 work experience days for aspiring aviation workers, by 2030.
Jason Knight, Heathrow’s learning and inclusion director, added: “A successful aviation sector connects countries and continents. It acts as the global gateway for leisure, commerce, and families and is a central pillar for local communities and the national economy.”