Helping the next generation reach for the skies at Elstree Aerodrome

National & Local Government initiatives to promote careers in the UK aviation industry

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to start a career in aviation, that’s why we wanted to shine a light on both the national and local initiatives in place to raise the profile of the industry for future generations, particularly those living in Hertfordshire and Greater London.

All are flanked by Flightpath To The Future, a strategic framework for the aviation sector that supports the Department for Transport’s vision for a modern, innovative and efficient sector over the next 10 years. This document sets out the steps towards implementing the Government’s Jet Zero Strategy which is the framework to deliver net zero aviation by 2050.

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Showcasing the diversity of career opportunities within Hertfordshire

Generation Welwyn & Hatfield Careers Event, Friday 24th February 2023

Following the brilliant response at the first Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP) local talent and careers showcase event in Borehamwood last November, we were invited to attend their next event last Friday, this time targeting students in the Welwyn and Hatfield areas of Hertfordshire.

Our representatives discussing the future of aviation with Grant Shapps, MP for Welwyn Hatfield and Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero at Generation Welwyn Hatfield Careers Fair, Feb 23

MP Grant Shapps formally opened the fair and shared his own experiences with apprenticeships and the value of non-traditional career paths, saying:

“My son did an apprenticeship instead of completing his A-levels and he found it absolutely fantastic, while his sister took a more conventional route by going to university. We have seen how both of those routes work equally successfully.”

With the aim of helping train and retain aviation talent within the county, our Aviation and Aerospace Consultant, Sagar Patel and Estate Office Manager, Leila Ally-Pollard, attended the event, funded by the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

They were joined by aviation businesses resident at Elstree Aerodrome including Flight Training London, Ice Helicopters and London Elstree Aviation (aircraft maintenance) who spent the day sharing their knowledge and talking to local students and young people aged 14-24 attending the all-day event.

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  Flight Training London Team

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  500 Welwyn & Hatfield students

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  London Elstree STEM careers

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  Royal Air Force also attended

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With the RAF also attending the event, and the obvious synergy, it was fantastic to represent the last licensed airfield in Hertfordshire, and show that there are still opportunities within the county for young people to engage with aerospace engineering and aviation first hand.

Visit Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP) to signpost local apprenticeship, jobs and course availability and visit our updated career pathways page at londonelstree.com/careers (more details below).

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Updated aviation career pathways information

To help you explore aviation career pathways in the UK, take a look at our updated careers advice page at londonelstree.com/careers, including a downloadable career options map.

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The Air League’s 'Soaring To Success' Programme returns to Elstree for a 2nd year

Part of the government’s new Reach for the Sky programme, within the Generation Aviation campaign encouraging people to consider a career in the UK's aviation sector, charity The Air League has recently received £50,000 to continue their Soaring To Success programme into 2023.

Soaring To Success is a careers enrichment programme that bridges the gap between education and industry. It works hard to increase and improve social mobility through the realisation that opportunities and possibilities within aviation are accessible and achievable by anyone, including scholarship applications. Find out more at theairleague.co.uk.

Also benefiting from the Generation Aviation funding is the new Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform (ASRP) to signpost people to training and careers in the industry.

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New Department of Transport Aviation Ambassadors announced

The Department of Transport’s Aviation Ambassadors Group - 13 volunteers working to raise the profile of the UK aviation industry including Kathan Dudhela who learned to fly at London Elstree and Kanchana Gamage, founder of The Aviatrix Project

We’re proud to introduce you to the 2022/23 Department of Transport Aviation Ambassadors, including Elstree-based pilot Kathan Dudhela and Kanchana Gamage, founder of The Aviatrix Project, which we’ll be working more closely with this year.

The group of 13 volunteers are here to help reach a wider audience in building an aviation workforce fit for the future, attracting diverse and talented people whilst inspiring the next generation.

It’s great to have you all on board!

Jessica Allen-Back, Aldenham Estate Director

info@aldenhamestate.co.uk