EasyJet is hiring 1,000 aspiring pilots - and you don't need any flying skills
Aspiring pilots who dream of soaring above the clouds could find their way into the cockpit as part of a huge easyJet recruitment drive.
The budget airline has reopened its Pilot Training Programme and announced plans to recruit 1,000 new pilots by 2028. What is particularly exciting for those who haven’t spent much or any time taking off or touching down is that easyJet plans to take individuals with minimal or no aviation experience. By the end of the two-year programme they will be transformed into qualified co-pilots of an Airbus A320 commercial jet, reports ChronicleLive.
This year there are 200 new spots available on the programme. The airline says it has been actively addressing the industry-wide issue of a lack of female pilots through various initiatives such as recruitment campaigns, pilot school visits, and a summer flight school. Currently 7.5% of easyJet’s UK pilots are women, a little higher than the UK industry average of 6.5%.
A file picture shows a plane of low coast company Easy Jet
Earlier this month, easyJet introduced an online test to assess some of the key skills needed to become an airline pilot. Hopefuls aged 18 and above can apply provided they have a minimum of five GCSEs of Grade C or higher, including Maths, Science and English Language.
Applicants must also be able to get an EASA or CAA Class 1 medical, have the right to live and work in the UK, EU or Switzerland and the ability to travel across our network without restriction, and be able to speak and write fluent English.
The training occurs at the CAE aviation academies, located across Gatwick, Milan, Brussels or Madrid, with flight training spread out across the United States. After successfully completing the training, the graduates kick start their careers as co-pilots at easyJet.
Speaking about the programme, pilot training manager at easyJet Captain Kate West said: “We are delighted to reopen applications for this year’s Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme as part of our drive to recruit 1,000 new pilots and encourage more people to join this fantastic profession. The training to become a pilot focuses on skills such as communication and problem solving, so when working as a team in the flight deck, diversity is incredibly valuable.
“Tackling stereotypes about our job is critical to driving this and while we are proud to have many more women flying with us today, we know there is always more to be done to increase all forms of diversity and remain committed to leading the industry in this. I joined easyJet over ten years ago as a growing airline with opportunities for career progression and a fantastic reputation for training.”
If you’ve ever fancied trying your hand at steering a hefty Boeing through the clouds or entertaining a cabin load of passengers over the intercom, but don’t have much or any experience in the cockpit and easyJet isn’t your cup of tea for whatever reason then you could be in luck as Ryanair might just train you up. The budget airline announced last week that it was also hiring new pilots.
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