The drive is part of the airline’s Amy Johnson initiative, which launched in 2015 with the aim of tackling “an industry-wide stereotype” and doubling the number of female new entrant pilots to 12% over two years.
Johnson was a pilot as well as an engineer. She was the first British woman to obtain a ground engineers “C” license and was president of the Woman’s Engineering Society.
At present, only 5% of those working in easyJet’s engineering department are female and the airline wants to increase this figure.
It employs 230 engineers across its fleet of over 270 Airbus aircraft, and is looking to fill 14 apprenticeship places in 2017. EasyJet wants seven of these to be filled by women.
The apprenticeship programme is in partnership with Resource Group and its Aviation Maintenance Training Division, with the successful candidates due to commence the two year training course in November.
Aidan Kearney, head of maintenance operations at easyJet, said: “At easyJet we value diversity and so we are delighted to be extending the successful Amy Johnson initiative to cover our engineering apprenticeship recruitment.
“A career as an aeronautical engineer is interesting and rewarding and we want more women to bring their skills to the profession.
“An apprenticeship at easyJet offers a great career route into the industry. It allows apprentices to learn and gain qualifications on the job so they can put new knowledge and skills into practice every day.”
Sara Walsh, easyJet fleet engineer in airframe systems at easyJet, added: “Women are significantly underrepresented in engineering roles and so I think this is a great initiative to try and redress the balance. A career in aircraft engineering is varied and very rewarding and I would encourage more women to apply.”
EasyJet’s print advertising for the scheme features images of a female engineer and it is hoped that this will inspire other women to apply for the scheme and ultimately encourage them to pursue careers in what is a traditionally male-dominated profession.
The first 10 months of the apprenticeship scheme will provide accredited training both in the classroom and practical training at LRTT at the Cotswold airport. This is followed by sixteen months of “on the job” training.
This will take place for easyJet at both Luton and Gatwick.
Apprentices will graduate with recognised qualifications and a permanent role with a package up to £30,000 will be available to those who are successful.
Applications close on September 15.
Visit https://careers.easyjet.com/graduates-and-apprentices/ to apply.
