Did you know?
Over 6.4 million students travel abroad to study each year, many of these by air.
Relevance to aviation
Aviation enables the movement of students worldwide, providing access to educational opportunities which can be particularly relevant for students from countries in special situations. The industry itself also champions quality education for its own employees, specifically in areas such as engineering, air traffic management and pilot training. The manufacturing sector in particular is working hard to promote education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Examples of action
- Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer saw the need for improved childhood education in its home town of São José dos Campos. It established the Juarez Wanderley High School which provides full-time, free, high-quality instruction to 600 less-privileged students per year coming from the local public schools.
- Since 2016, the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA), which was established by Hong Kong Airport, has been providing numerous academic programmes and courses for aviation professionals, industry newcomers and young people who would like to pursue a career in aviation.
- Boeing in the UK has built up an extensive relationship with academic institutions, which not only helps develop new technologies, but also provides training for existing employees and creates opportunities for students to join the company.
- Airbus' Fly Your Ideas is a biennial global competition, which challenges university students across the UK, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands to innovate for the future of sustainable aviation.
- JetBlue runs the JetBlue Foundation, which has impacted the lives of thousands by partnering with nearly 100 non-profit organisations and educational institutions. The Foundation’s mission is to support and advance STEM and aviation-related education and careers, particularly in communities historically underrepresented in aviation.
- In July 2022, Airbus signed a partnership agreement with Cranfield University to help ensure its graduates have the right skills to face future challenges in the complex and competitive aerospace environment.
- The American Airlines Education Foundation awards $2,500 every year in scholarships to the children of its team members. In 2023, the Education Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to 430 students.
Learn more in the Flying in Formation report