Challenging gender stereotypes with the ‘Women in Aviation’ programme with London City Airport

Date
10.05.2019

15billionebp teamed up with partners London City Airport to design and deliver the ‘Women in Aviation’ programme involving 300 female pupils from East London secondary schools. Since January, the programme has worked with the students from 10 schools in Newham, Greenwich, Havering, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Barking & Dagenham, to highlight the opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and the career opportunities in the aviation industry.

The Women in Aviation programme took place over 3 Stages. Stage 1 involved a visit to the airport where students learnt about careers in aviation, and were set their challenge. In Stage 2, students were given 3-4 weeks to prepare their work, before 15billionebp visited each school to choose a finalist. The pupils in the programme applied STEM skills in an aviation-themed challenge set by the airport. They were tasked with coming up with conceptual proposals for London City Airport’s new terminal, which is currently being built as part of a £500 million transformation. The ten finalist groups attended Stage 3 of the programme, which took place at the Sunborn Hotel in Royal Victoria Dock. The finalists presented to a panel of judges and a winner was chosen, as well as winners for a selection of sub-categories.

Julianne Marriott, Cabinet Member for Education in Newham, also joined the event, which was won by pupils from Wanstead High School. Their prize includes a mentor session and a visit to the Emirates Aviation Experience

Overall Winner: Wanstead High School

Best Presentation: Langdon Academy

Best Business Case: Jo Richardson Community School

Most Creative Design: Forest Gate Community School

Students’ Winner: Langdon Academy

 

The programme was Inspirational, educational experience promoting work in STEM careers

I think it is very good that women and young girls are being given the chance to show how incredible and helpful they are

I believe and am inspired to open my views about taking on jobs in STEM in the future


Participating pupils

The ‘Women in Aviation’ programme is part of the airport’s wider agenda to create a better gender balance across the business, and show how the sector offers an attractive career path for young women, including those from BAME communities.

 

The feedback from this programme really shows it's value; not only do students build general career awareness and find out about careers in aviation, but they also develop key employability skills and develop confidence in themselves’

Lauren Holmes
Programme Manager, 15billionebp

Don’t forget to check out the Women in Aviation’s video – here!