Nearly 60 schoolgirls from across Queensland will swap the classroom for the cockpit today as they take part in Virgin Australia’s Future Aviators Program.
For the first time, the program has expanded to include students from Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton, alongside participants from across southeast Queensland.
Now in its second year, the program offers students an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the airline’s operations – from touring the aircraft engineering and maintenance hangar and cabin crew training facilities, to experiencing the flight simulators used to train pilots and visiting the Integrated Operations Centre at Head Office, where the airline’s network is managed in real time.
Students will also be among the first to step on board Virgin Australia’s newest Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft, which arrived in Australia this week. Kicking off a historic year of fleet renewal, the aircraft is one of 12 new 737 MAX-8s being delivered to the airline this year, improving fuel efficiency by 19 per cent and reducing noise by 40 per cent compared to the aircraft they replace.
The Future Aviators initiative, which is aligned annually to International Women’s Day, aims to encourage more girls to pursue careers in aviation, particularly in roles such as engineering and flight operations, where women remain underrepresented across the industry.
Virgin Australia Chief People Officer, Lisa Burquest said expanding the program into regional Queensland marked an important step in broadening access to aviation career pathways.
“We want to open doors earlier and ensure students are exposed to the breadth of opportunities available across the aviation industry,” Ms Burquest said.
“As an airline proudly headquartered in Queensland, we recognise the important role we play in contributing to the strength of the aviation industry in our home state. Programs like Future Aviators reflect the value we place on creating meaningful opportunities for Queensland students and investing in the next generation of local talent.
“Careers such as engineering and flight operations require long-term study and planning. By engaging students in Years 8, 9 and 10, we can help build awareness before career pathways are locked in and show them that these careers are both achievable and within reach.
“Flying students in from Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton is a way for us to expand the impact of this program, and we see this as the foundation to continue broadening its reach to more regional communities in the years ahead – particularly where careers in aviation may not always feel accessible.”
Year 10 Townsville State High School student, Addison Forward, said she was excited to visit Virgin Australia’s HQ.
“I’m really excited to meet some of Virgin Australia’s engineers. I’m not sure know what I want to do when I leave school, but I’m really interested in understanding how planes are kept up to standard and maintained.”
The program reflects Virgin Australia’s ongoing focus on increasing awareness of the wide range of aviation careers available to women.
Natalie Allen, Project Manager of the Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools Program, said she is delighted that the program has once again partnered with Virgin Australia for this event.
“A number of our Aerospace Gateway Schools across Queensland have been given a unique and valuable opportunity to take part in Virgin Australia’s Future Aviators program,” said Ms Allen.
"Experiences like these don’t just spark curiosity, but also build confidence, and help young women see the wide range of pathways available to them in the aviation and aerospace sector.”
The day will conclude with a panel discussion featuring women from across the business, followed by a networking opportunity for Virgin Australia team members and students.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Virgin Australia Corporate Communication corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com or 1800 142 467.
