A £1.5 million ‘Generation Aviation’ initiative to support recruitment for the under-pressure sector has been unveiled by the government.
The new campaign will see government working with industry to increase the number of people applying for jobs in the sector.
The aim is to encourage workers into the industry, including £700,000 funding for outreach programmes and events to educate young people from all backgrounds about the opportunities in aviation.
The campaign is one of the key elements of the government’s previously announced 22-point plan designed to help the industry tackle current disruption as a result of demand outstripping staffing capacity.
To help ensure the industry is as accessible as possible, the government is also providing £200,000 funding for a virtual aerobility programme which aims to make aviation more accessible for disabled people.
The Department for Transport will also be working with the Civil Aviation Authority to deliver aviation awards to recognise excellent achievements in the aviation sector.
The awards will raise awareness of aviation careers, particularly among young people, women and diverse groups – and will aim to inspire the next generation.
The government has also put more than £600,000 behind the relaunch of the Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform focused on jobs and opportunities in aviation.
It pledged to continue the funding for the next 12 months to ensure that jobs and training opportunities are available as the sector continues to recover.
Aviation minister Robert Courts said: “We’re all aware of the difficulties being experienced in the aviation industry at the moment.
“While measures such as our airport slots amnesty are having an immediate, positive impact, it’s absolutely vital that we also focus on making the industry more sustainable in the longer term.
“A resilient workforce is at the heart of that and is a core part of our 22-point plan to help the sector minimise disruption this summer.
“That’s why we’re funding great initiatives to encourage people into the sector – and to ensure that prosperous careers are accessible to all, regardless of their background or walk of life.”