Aerozone celebrates 30,000 visitors as Priti Patel joins milestone event
More than 30,000 students have now visited London Stansted's Aerozone education centre since it opened in 2015, marking a major milestone for the airport's long-running programme to inspire young people and introduce them to careers in aviation.
The achievement was celebrated during a visit by 20 Year 10 students from Lift New Rickstones Academy in Witham, who spent the day taking part in hands-on activities designed to showcase the world of aviation and the wide range of jobs that help keep an airport running.
The milestone event was attended by Witham MP Priti Patel, who met students and learned more about Aerozone's work with schools and community groups across the East of England.
Based at the airport, Aerozone gives young people the chance to explore careers in aviation through interactive activities linked to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Students can meet airport colleagues, learn about the different roles that exist across the aviation sector and gain a better understanding of how an international airport operates.
Since opening in 2015, Aerozone has hosted more than 950 visits from 259 schools and educational groups from across Essex, East London, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and the wider East of England.
Witham MP Priti Patel said:
“Reaching 30,000 visitors is a fantastic milestone for Aerozone and a real testament to the work being done at Stansted to inspire young people and open their eyes to the opportunities available in aviation. It was great to meet students from the Lift New Rickstones and see how Aerozone brings careers to life by giving young people practical experience and the chance to meet those working across the airport.
“We need to be doing everything we can to equip our young people with the skills, confidence, and ambition to succeed, particularly in sectors like aviation, engineering, and STEM where there are so many exciting career opportunities. I know how important Stansted is to our region and our local economy, and initiatives like Aerozone are helping to build the skilled workforce of the future. My congratulations go to everyone involved in reaching this milestone.”
Alex Smith, Education Manager at London Stansted, said:
“It's amazing to think that more than 30,000 people have now come through Aerozone. We see students arrive not really knowing what happens at an airport and leave excited about careers they never knew existed. If we can open their eyes to the opportunities available and get them thinking differently about what they might want to do in the future, then that's a real success for us.”
As well as Aerozone, the airport supports a number of education and skills programmes, including the Stansted Airport Employment and Skills Academy and Stansted Airport College, helping people of all ages develop skills and explore careers in aviation.
Marcella M'Rabety, Head of Social Sustainability at MAG, said:
"Aerozone is often where a young person's interest in aviation begins. We're really proud to have reached this milestone, and we’re looking forward to doing much more. We want to build on this work by giving more primary and secondary school students the chance to meet employers, develop their skills and see the opportunities available to them. Creating opportunities and inspiring future talent is an important part of the role we play in our local communities."