easyJet reopens its ‘Runway’ initiative to fast track university graduates into critical aviation roles
The graduate programme will recruit candidates across three key areas including engineering, finance and management
The Engineering and Management Runway programmes last two years while the Finance Runway will be for 3 years
New applications are now open with new graduates starting their placements in September 2024
With forecasts projecting the industry will need another 1.3 million new aviation professionals in the next 10 years on top of existing recruitment opportunities, easyJet has relaunched its flagship graduate programme after a three year hiatus.
The programme, which aims to attract a diverse group of individuals with a tenacious ambition of becoming future leaders in engineering, finance and management, has taken 16 students for 2023 after a three year hiatus due to the pandemic, and is now calling for more applicants for 2024.
easyJet’s “Project Runway” strives to accelerate their career prospects in leadership roles as well as highlight the diversity of roles at the organisation beyond frontline airline operations including pilots, cabin crew and ground handling.
Graduates entering the Engineering programme were required to have an engineering degree. However, the Finance and Management programmes will be filled by grads with a diverse range of degrees including Modern Languages, Art History and Visual Culture with History and Modern History and Politics from the University of Exeter, Birmingham and Manchester respectively, just to name a few.
Following an extensive four-week induction the cohort will spend two years rotating through a series of placements for different career ‘runways’ including management and engineering. On the other hand, those taking up the finance runway will spend a total of three years rotating different roles within that career path.
Homing in on the company’s mantra of living the ‘orange spirit’ – the airline operator’s Runway Graduate programmes encourage a hands-on work approach while providing insight into the culture and values that make easyJet.
Speaking on the programme and welcoming this year’s cohort, Jane Storm, Group People Director at easyJet said: “We are thrilled to be relaunching our Runway Management Programme and incorporating our Engineering & Finance programmes under the same initiative for final-year students from across the UK. This programme offers a comprehensive insight into the company, with the opportunity to learn more about customer experience from our front-line roles in cabin crew and pilots, as well as the diverse roles offered by the company.
“As well as getting a hands-on experience of different roles with the organisation, the students will also receive mentoring, coaching and training workshops – partnered with the chance to work across teams with senior stakeholders, giving them a true first-hand experience living the orange spirit here at easyJet.”
Sam Screpis, Head of Learning, Talent Development & Engagement added:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for all successful candidates to get stuck in and experience the innermost workings of easyJet.
“We are looking forward to welcoming candidates to Hanger 89, our corporate HQ at Luton Airport whereby they will have access to the most senior people within our business – giving them the chance to flourish and contribute to the business along with support from peers and mentors.”
easyJet’s Runway Management Programme was established in September and along with the airline’s Engineering & Finance programme operates on annual basis. Applications for new candidates are now open and will be live until mid-end January 2024. More information about the programme can be found here.
ENDS
For further information, please contact the easyJet Press Office on 01582 525252, log onto www.easyJet.com or follow @easyJet_Press
Notes to editors:
References:
* https://www.cae.com/news-events/press-releases/cae-forecasts-need-to-recruit-13-million-new-aviation-professionals-by-2032/
About easyJet
easyJet is Europe’s leading airline offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports, with great value fares and friendly service.
easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 69 million passengers in 2022 – with 9.5 million travelling for business. The airline has over 300 aircraft on nearly 1000 routes to more than 150 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport.
easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in eight countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £16m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.
The airline joined the UN-backed Race to Zero in November 2021 and has published its roadmap to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with a focus on new technology and the ultimate ambition to achieve zero carbon emission flying across its entire fleet, which the airline is working on together with its partners including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace, and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions. The roadmap also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology. Additionally, it includes an interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035 (versus 2019). Since 2000, the airline has already reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third through continued fleet renewal, efficient operations and aiming to fill most of its seats.
Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching over 25 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital, web, engineering and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers.
