Inspiring the next generation of aviation talent
By Gareth Powell, Managing Director at London Stansted
Last week, I had the pleasure of opening London Stansted’s first ever Aviation Careers Festival, and honestly, it was a brilliant event to be part of.
We welcomed more than 500 students from across Essex and Hertfordshire, all curious, enthusiastic, and keen to understand what a future in aviation could look like.
Standing in that room, you couldn’t help but feel energised and reminded of just how important education and skills are to the long-term success of our airport and our region.
The festival was held at the Radisson Blu and was made possible through our successful bid to the CAA and Department for Transport’s Reach for the Skies programme.
The aim was simple, to open young people’s eyes to the huge range of careers available in aviation today. And that’s exactly what it did.
Students explored everything from engineering and air traffic control to hospitality, logistics, security and customer service.
With more than 20 airport partners taking part, including UK Border Force, Essex Police, Jet2, NATS, Swissport, Titan Airways and our own MAG teams, they got a real, hands-on feel for what goes on behind the scenes at a busy airport like Stansted.
They climbed into flight simulators, got up close to the latest technology, and most importantly, spoke directly to the people who keep the airport moving 24 hours a day. The energy in the room was fantastic.
One story that really stuck with me on the day was about a student called Louis, from Chelmsford. He really wants to become a pilot, and that coming to the festival made that goal feel more achievable.
That’s exactly why we do this. It’s about showing young people what’s possible and helping them believe they can get there.
Events like this don’t sit in isolation. They’re part of a much bigger picture. At Stansted, education and skills sit right at the heart of our vision, and we’re proud to support this through three key initiatives.
First, there’s our Aerozone Education Centre, which introduces children aged four to 18 to aviation in a fun, hands-on way. For many, it’s their first ever visit to an airport and often the spark that leads to a lifelong interest in aviation and STEM.
Then there’s the Stansted Airport Employment and Skills Academy. It helps local people access jobs with the 200-plus employers based on our campus, offering training and clear pathways into work.
And finally, Stansted Airport College, which is run by Harlow College and is the only further education college in the UK based on a live airport campus. Students learn in a real-world environment and leave with the skills and experience employers are looking for.
The Careers Festival really showed the power of bringing employers and young people together in one place. As one of our education partners said on the day, it helps bring careers to life.
I also want to thank the Civil Aviation Authority for supporting this programme. The future of aviation depends on attracting new talent and fresh ideas, and initiatives like this play a huge role in making that happen.
For us at London Stansted, this is just the beginning. As the airport continues to grow and evolve, we’re determined to make sure local communities share in the opportunities that growth brings.
And if the enthusiasm and ambition we saw this week is anything to go by, the future of aviation and London Stansted is looking very bright indeed.