Farnborough Friday: A Day to Excite and Inspire at the Farnborough International Airshow

The Farnborough International Airshow is to see one of the most exciting developments in its recent history with the launch of Farnborough Friday: a day developed to inspire and engage the industry’s future workforce. On Friday 24 July, up to 25,000 people looking to secure a lifelong, rewarding career are invited to the Airshow for a day that is packed with meaningful activities. 

Farnborough Friday will introduce the next generation of leaders, innovators, and pioneers to employers, providing valuable insight into the wealth of career opportunities available throughout dynamic, global industries.  

As a trade day, Farnborough Friday opens the Airshow’s exhibition halls to more than 1,500 of the world’s leading aerospace companies many of which will host STEM-related activities on their stand. Through these activities, those attending gain a meaningful understanding of what careers across the aerospace industry promise; the skills required, and the value that studying STEM subjects delivers.   

There is to be a full air display and a varied and comprehensive static display. There will also be a Careers Hub where students, graduates and young professionals can access one-on-one specialist advice, dedicated seminars, and a live jobs board. 

Gareth Rogers, Chief Executive of Farnborough International says: “Farnborough Friday promises to be landmark event serving two vital purposes: inspiring and engaging the next generation, and enabling industry to address major concerns about its future workforce. 

“The Farnborough International Airshow has always played an important role in encouraging future leaders, innovators and pioneers to commit to studying the STEM-related subjects essential for a career in aerospace.  

“July’s Airshow is one of the world’s biggest platforms for exhibiting leading-edge technology. Experts from around the world are here to do business and for the first time, we are inviting people to learn directly from them, and to see and touch innovation that is shaping our world.”  

Lynda Mcvey, Director, Skills and Capability at Leonardo says: “The Aerospace and Defence sector offers some of the most exciting opportunities for anyone who is interested in how things work, to finding new solutions to challenges, and to shaping our future. Farnborough Friday will be a fantastic way to engage the next-generation of leaders in aerospace and aviation. This is an encouraging forum by Farnborough International and ADS which will look to excite, innovate and stimulate the interests of tomorrow’s workforce. There are many challenges and opportunities presented by the digital revolution so there has never been more demand for people with engineering and technical skills, who are able to bring curiosity, creativity and passion to the workplace. At Leonardo we are passionate about growing and expanding our talent’s skills from innovators exploring technologies for current and next-generation combat aircraft to helicopter engineers performing intricate procedures. If you are interested in creating the technology of tomorrow to address the big questions about our future, this is your time.”

Planned activities include:

• Careers Hub and live Job Board. 
• Comprehensive speaker programme.
• Hands-on activities with exhibitors using innovation to demonstrate the application of STEM subjects.    
• Rocketry Challenge final. 
• Involvement from companies throughout the global supply chain, from primes to SMEs, and delivered in conjunction with aerospace trade association ADS Group
• Working with delivery partners including: Winchester Science Centre; the Royal Aeronautical Society; Aviation Skills Foundation; The Air league; Stem Learning; STEM Flyer, and IET (The Institution of Engineering and Technology). 

The STEM skills shortage is an indisputable challenge facing industry; figures reported by Engineering & Technology (2019) indicate that 186,000 skilled recruits are needed each year until 2024 to reduce the shortage. 

As well as the wealth of planned activities, industry professionals representing all aspects of the workplace – from HR and marketing through to pilots and innovators – will provide a comprehensive picture of the opportunities that can lead to a rewarding and lucrative career.    

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