Beyond the Cockpit: The Careers That Keep Aviation Moving

When young people think about a career in aviation the first thing they think of is being a pilot, however the world of aviation is filled with so much more. Behind every flight is a huge network of people. Engineers design and maintain the aircraft. Air traffic specialists keep increasingly busy airspace moving safely. Technology teams work on everything from automation to AI, and sustainability experts are looking at new ways of flying. UK airlines alone generate more than 370,000 jobs, according to Airlines UK, and that’s before you count airports, aerospace manufacturers and their suppliers.

Aviation is a STEM industry

It’s one of the clearest examples of STEM leaving the classroom and becoming a career. Physics explains flight. Maths underpins navigation and aircraft performance. Computer science and data matter more every year, and engineering brings it all together to design, test and maintain aircraft.

The range of roles is wider than most people expect. The Civil Aviation Authority’s careers pages cover avionics, aerospace engineering, robotics, safety and air traffic management, to name a few. These jobs are already here, too. Around 6.3 million people work in engineering and technology, nearly one in five UK jobs, and it’s set to keep growing faster than most industries through to 2030.

EngineeringUK found that only 43% of young people took part in a STEM activity outside lessons in 2023. Just 15% of those of work-experience age did STEM-related work experience, and only 57% of schools engaged with STEM employers each year.

Someone can introduce a job title, but meeting someone who actually does the job is what makes it real. Standing next to an aircraft, visiting an airfield or chatting with an engineer shows a young person what the work involves and where they might fit. EngineeringUK’s research backs this up. Hearing from professionals and getting hands-on experience were among the most effective ways to build confidence and motivation.

The aviation industry doesn’t only need pilots, they need people who are technical, analytical and practical. However,what many young people lack is the chance to see where it could take them. It starts at the beginning of every young person's journey by knowing what to study, what experience to get and which careers exist. It is hard to work out without people who’ve done it before. At Falcon Foundation, we offer scholarships, one-to-one mentoring and industry connections to help young people go from being interested in STEM, aerospace and aviation to understanding where they could fit.

Learn more about Falcon Foundation