Virgin Australia Introduces Career Pathways Program for Future Female Aviators

• Virgin Australia’s Future Aviators Program provides 60 young girls with diverse opportunities in aviation sector
• The program aims to focus on technical roles that are crucial to the industry’s safety and operation
• The initiative is a meaningful step towards visibility of specialized roles in aviation to create even greater impacts

Virgin Australia’s Future Aviators Program debuted recently providing nearly 60 young girls with an exclusive look, behind the scenes of the aviation industry to inspire future careers in the field. Students from Year 7 and Year 8 across South East Queensland from Bundamba to Miami, will tour key Virgin Australia facilities. The tour will include visiting the aircraft maintenance hangar, corporate headquarters, and training centres, featuring flight simulators used for pilot certification.

Virgin Australia Chief People Officer Lisa Burquest stated that the program addresses the industry’s gender pay gap, aiming to increase female representation in critical lesser-opted technical roles like engineers and pilots. The program inspires and prepares the next generation of female aviation professionals.

“Aviation certainly faces challenges in gender diversity, however we don’t shy away from them – we’re leaning in with a determined focus, not only to inspire students to consider a career in aviation, but to actively support them on that path,” said Lisa. “It just so happens that this year’s International Women’s Day theme is Accelerate Action, so our Future Aviators program is a fitting alignment with that. We are committed to building awareness so that the next generation of girls have insight to opportunities and experiences that evoke an early love for aviation and fuels their career choice as they complete their schooling.”

The initiative aligns with the airline’s commitment to showcasing the extensive career opportunities with aviation particularly focusing on technical roles that are crucial to the industry’s safety and operation. It is a meaningful step towards visibility of specialized roles in aviation to create even greater impacts. It will introduce students to the many specialized positions essential to airline operations, including those within Virgin Australia’s Integrated Operations Centre. It is here that experts in logistics, scheduling, and crisis management work to maintain efficiency and safety.

The event culminates in engaging panel discussions featuring accomplished women from various divisions within Virgin Australia, offering students with unique opportunities to learn and gain first-hand knowledge about careers from leadership to business functions in the aviation industry.

"The Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools Program, led by Aviation Australia, connects industry and schools to provide hands-on learning and career pathways in aerospace.” We’re excited to partner with Virgin Australia to deliver the Future Aviators program, inspiring the next generation of aviation talent from six participating Aerospace Gateway Schools across Southeast Queensland,” said Aerospace Gateway Schools Project Manager Natalie Allen.