12-15

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Are you aged 12-15 and interested in aerospace? Read on!

Are you aged 12-15? Or do you know someone in the 12-15 age group who is interested in aerospace and aviation and is keen to learn more? Now is a great time to get more involved. You can also start thinking about what subjects you need to take at GCSE. If you are a secondary school teacher, STEM coordinator or technician looking for events or competitions for your pupils there are plenty of opportunities available to this age group. Remember that for those really keen to get started, the Air Cadets are open to young people aged 13 onwards and offer a great way to learn more about aerospace and flying, as well as develop personal skills and make friends.

What careers are available in aerospace?

If you love planes but are not sure what opportunities are available, the Roles section on our website covers all kinds of jobs linked to the industry. Aerospace engineering covers a wide range of areas, from designing and building aeroplanes of all shapes and sizes to maintaining them once they take flight. Aerospace engineers can also work on space products such as rockets, satellites and space explorers. You may want to become a pilot and learn to fly planes – perhaps as a military pilot or commercial pilot. Or perhaps you like the idea of helping people and working for an airport or airline to ensure people’s trips get off to a great start.

Why not get started by requesting a copy of our FREE poster aimed at young people and schools? We call it the ‘Malaga’ careers poster as many people’s first flight is a short-haul trip to a destination such as Spain for a holiday. It’s hard to imagine just how many people have helped to make these flights happen which in turn leads to some fantastic potential jobs you might be interested in. The poster aims to illustrate some of the key roles which are involved in helping people fly to their holidays.

Malaga aerospace careers poster

Events and air shows

This is a great time to start visiting air shows if you haven’t done so already. Air shows take place all around the UK and many offer free tickets for young people under 16. As well as the amazing air displays, most air shows now feature interactive zones with aerospace companies and organisations such as the Royal Air Force having special stands aimed at inspiring young people. There will be opportunities to take part in competitions, pick up some literature and talk to people working in the industry about what they do and how they got there. Many exhibitors will be highlighting the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, so the zones may be called STEM areas or similar.

Air shows which include lots of activities to promote aerospace and STEM to young people include:

  • Farnborough Air Show
  • Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT)
  • Yeovilton Air Day
  • RAF Scampton Air Show

To name a few! Look out also for free air shows and open days at airports and air museums.

 

Futures Day 2016, Farnborough

Project Altitude

Project Altitude is our secondary school outreach and careers programme, replacing “Ballantyne”. Representatives from the Society, young members in university or apprenticeships, and people who work in the industry come together to inform 14-16 year olds about careers in aerospace and aviation. This is followed up by a group activity to create the best glider. Get in touch below if you are interested in us running Project Altitude at your school or college.

Ballantyne 2017

Getting in touch

If you would like more information please contact the Royal Aeronautical Society Careers team. In addition to our events and the Careers in Aerospace website, the Royal Aeronautical Society has free materials for parents and teachers incuding Career Flightpath magazine, the ‘Malaga’ aerospace careers poster. We can also provide impartial information, advice and guidance if you know of a young person looking to choose their GCSE/BTEC subjects. Visit the School pages for more information.