The UK government is calling on aviation professionals to help inspire the next generation of talent as applications open for the next cohort of Department for Transport (DfT) Aviation Ambassadors. Announced on 22 September 2025, this initiative invites experienced aviation experts to volunteer their time to promote the industry and help futureproof the aviation workforce.
The ambassadors will work alongside their regular roles to showcase aviation as an exciting and accessible career path. From ground handling and airfield safety to flight operations, customer service, and emerging green technologies, the scheme highlights the wide variety of opportunities within the sector to suit every skill set and passion.
Through school talks, career fairs, industry events, and digital outreach, ambassadors help break barriers and reach underrepresented communities, inspiring people who may have never considered aviation as a career. This effort is part of the government’s Generation Aviation programme, which aims to attract diverse talent and ensure the UK’s aviation industry remains competitive and sustainable.
Aviation Minister Keir Mather emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying the ambassadors play a key role in “securing the future of aviation” by encouraging young people to aim high and explore highly skilled career opportunities that support the government’s Plan for Change.
Among the current ambassadors are inspiring figures such as Hannah Wells, an EasyJet First Officer who visits schools and careers fairs; Mike Glen, Head of Airspace and Noise at AGS Airports and a Royal Air Force Air Cadets commander; Alice Goodwin, a Virgin Atlantic avionics engineer and mentor with four aviation charities; and Jack Jenner-Hall, an aerobatics competitor who became the UK’s youngest pilot at just 14.
Reflecting on her own journey, Alice Goodwin shared, “It wasn’t until I met a pilot at a school careers fair that aviation came onto my radar. Now, as an engineer and team leader at Virgin Atlantic, I feel it’s my responsibility to inspire the next generation, especially those from underrepresented communities.”
Applications for the next group of ambassadors are now open, offering a unique opportunity for aviation professionals to shape the industry’s future and encourage young people to take flight in their careers.
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