National aerospace recruitment campaign arrives in Farnborough

The There's Aerospace For You recruitment pod has arrived at the Farnborough International Airshow on its nationwide tour, bringing the UK's aerospace careers campaign to one of the industry's biggest global events.

Created from an upcycled Airbus A318 fuselage, the interactive installation gives visitors the chance to step inside a real aircraft structure, explore real-world aerospace stories and discover the wide range of careers, apprenticeships and training opportunities available across the sector.

The campaign highlights that 66% of aerospace employers are experiencing persistent workforce shortages that actively hold back business growth. The UK currently faces an average of 10,000 unfilled technical vacancies every single year, with 43% of those positions classified as chronically hard to fill due to a lack of applicants. 

Industry Minister Chris McDonald said:

“To keep our world-class aerospace sector at the forefront of innovation we need to secure its next generation of talent, and There’s Aerospace For You sends a strong message that there’s a career for everyone in this exciting industry.

“Through our Modern Industrial Strategy we’re backing high-growth industries like aerospace with the investment in skills they need for the future, and whether your background is in manufacturing, construction, sustainability or digital technologies, this sector has a position ready for you in locations right across the UK.” 

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, said: 

"Securing the future workforce of the UK aerospace industry is not a challenge that any single manufacturer can solve in isolation. It requires immediate, collective industrial action.  We currently employ 113,000 people in world-class, high-wage roles outside of London, yet we are holding back our own growth potential by leaving 10,000 vacancies unfilled each year. The UK’s economic advantage and our advanced engineering capabilities are underpinned by this critical sector . 

The Belfast recruitment pod will remain open to the public in the city center until Saturday allowing visitors to walk inside and explore localised training pathways and higher apprenticeships. 

Job seekers, career switchers, and graduates can explore immediate vacancies and localised training opportunities by visiting the official hub at aerospaceforyou.org.uk.