Easyjet Opens Applications for Next Generaton of Engineering Apprentices

• Following investment into a new maintenance hangar and training campus at Luton Airport, easyJet is on the lookout for its next cohort of engineering apprentices for 2026

• The call-out comes as new research reveals 65% of 16–24-year-olds have never considered a career in engineering due to concerns about qualifications, cost and gender misconceptions - only 36% of young females said they’d considered it as a career path, compared to 52% of their male counterparts

• A passion for sustainability emerges as one of the biggest drivers for young people considering engineering, with two-fifths (40%) believing the profession could enable them to develop new technologies that will have a positive impact on climate change

• The applications open at a critical time for the industry too, with 27% of the aircraft engineering workforce set to

  retire in the next decade* and the Government pledging at its recent Labour party conference to get more young people into gold standard apprenticeships to address the record numbers of youth not in any form of employment, education or training (NEET)

• Applications to easyJet’s engineering apprenticeship scheme are now open, with 20 places up for grabs to start in April 2026 and another 20 for October 2026

Images available to download: https://www.flickr.com/gp/taylorherringpr/55A6vc72on

easyJet has opened applications for its latest cohort of engineering apprentices for 2026, as the airline calls on the next generation to join them in shaping the future of aviation.

The launch comes at a time when the UK Civil Aviation Authority estimates that 27% of the aircraft engineering workforce is set to retire inside the next decade*.

New research of 2,000 Brits aged 16-24 years old commissioned by easyJet suggests more is needed to encourage young workers to consider a career in engineering and fill these

roles. A staggering 65% said they have never considered a career in the field, with many held back by common misconceptions about their suitability for the profession.

Over half of respondents (59%) believed that they didn’t have the right qualifications, while 34% stated engineering was never put forward as an option at school, with a further 21% concluding it was too ‘costly’ to pursue.

The research also shows a continued gender disparity, with only 36% of young females saying they’ve considered a career in engineering, compared to 52% of males aged 16-24.

In reality, engineering is an option for many and an apprenticeship provides an accessible alternative route to gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to establish a long and successful career in the profession.

The research also uncovered an emerging trend in more 16-24 year-olds expressing a desire to pursue a purpose-driven career.

Over half (52%) stated a desire to be in a role that benefits society, with more than two-fifths (44%) saying they aspired to a career that would help solve climate change. A further 43% highlighted engineering as a profession that could unlock these goals through activities such as developing lower-emission technologies.

To demystify misconceptions and support young 16–24-year-olds with their ambition of a purpose-driven career path, easyJet is opening its doors to its next intake of budding engineers – offering an apprenticeship programme that will provide essential skills while earning and learning on the job, without the barriers of traditional routes to access the profession.

Commenting on the call-out for more apprentices to join its ranks, Brendan McConnellogue, Director of Engineering and Maintenance at easyJet said:

“Today’s young people are motivated by purpose – they want to solve problems, travel, innovate and play their part in building a more sustainable future.

“Our engineering apprenticeships give candidates the chance to gain valuable experience working on our state-of-the-art fleet of aircraft while helping to deliver on aviation’s commitment to decarbonisation.

“This programme not only provides a pathway to grow professionally but also allows apprentices to make a meaningful contribution to the success of our operations throughout our network. We’re looking forward to opening the doors to applicants from all backgrounds who are ready to take their first step into a rewarding career in aviation.”

Aviation Minister Keir Mather, said:

“This engineering apprenticeship scheme marks an important step in continuing to build a highly skilled aviation workforce fit for the future.

“Initiatives like easyJet’s unlock exciting, flexible routes into aviation, backing an expanding sector whilst offering young people valuable opportunities and long-term careers – helping deliver our Plan for Change.”

easyJet engineer and former grad Emma Bailey, talks about her experience with the programme:

“The best thing about the apprenticeship programme at easyJet was working with an amazing group of people.

“Even during exams, we would revise together in the common room and when we did our practical work at Kemble we would be together 24/7. It created a sense of community and I feel I have made friends for life through the apprenticeship programme.”

Applications for the 2026 intake are now open, with places available across all of easyJet’s major engineering bases across the country including Luton Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport, Liverpool Airport, Bristol Airport, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport. Anyone with a minimum of 2 GCSEs at grade 3 and above or equivalent (SCQF Level 4) Scottish Qualifications in English and Maths is encouraged to apply.

For licensed engineers interested in joining the easyJet team, visit www.careers.easyjet.com/career-areas/engineering-and-maintenance

Notes to editors:

Survey of 2,000 British adults aged 16-24 years old was commissioned by easyJet via 3Gem in August 2025.

*Stats found from recent report by AeroProfessional “Engineer Skills Shortage: The Risk to Aviation’s Future”

Link to apply can be found here *

*Applicants must be 17 and three months when they start with easyJet as they need to be 18 by the time they get to phase 2 at the 9/10 months. As they need to be old enough to work nightshifts.

What newly qualified apprentices have to say about working at easyJet:

Engineering Apprentice Edward East, 22, based at London Gatwick Airport says:

• “Every day is a learning day, and it is extremely satisfying.”

• “Another highlight was recently, when my housemates and I went on holiday to Gran Canaria and we realised on our flight home that we were on a plane that we had all helped changed the engine on just three weeks before. So that was quite cool and a proud moment, being on a plane you had worked on and knowing that everything was up to scratch.”

• “Engineering in general seriously captures my interest. To think that in just a few short years we have gone from horse and cart to hundreds of thousands of commercial flights daily, just blows my mind.”

• “Working in this role is like getting a behind the scenes look at how the most fascinating machines work. I also like nerding out to my family and non-aviation friends with fun facts and things I’ve learned about planes since being here.”

• “In my cohort there’s a real range of people from different backgrounds. There was a couple of us who, like me, had previous engineering experience” but “there are also candidates who were fresh out of school and sixth form and had no prior experience”

Engineering Apprentice Emma Bailey, 22, based at Luton Airport says:

• “The best thing about the apprenticeship programme at easyJet was working with an amazing group of people.”

• “Even during exams, we would revise together in the common room and when we did our practical work at Kemble we would be together 24/7. It created a sense of community and I feel I have made friends for life through the apprenticeship programme.”

• “I’d say you don’t have to be amazing at school – but you do need good levels of both maths and science as these core skills will be needed for a GCSE equivalent exam which you need 75% or more to pass and get your CAT A licence. Apart from that, other qualifications are not as essential, but I would say the more enthusiastic you are, the more you are going to succeed.”

• “When it comes to sustainability and engineering, the one thing that excites me the most is the idea of working on new engines and new components that will enable low-carbon flight. I’m also excited about the fact that this will be a new method for the profession and my colleagues and I may be the first people to work on new technologies whilst adding to our skillset in the process.”

About easyJet

easyJet is one of Europe’s largest airlines 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 100 million passengers in 2024. The airline has over 340 aircraft flying on over 1000 routes to more than 160 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 nine 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 £17m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

In 2022, easyJet published its roadmap to net zero by 2050. The roadmap, which also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology, has set an ambitious interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035, validated by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi). The airline’s ultimate aim is to fully transition its fleet to zero carbon emission technology, which it will achieve through a number of strategic partnerships including with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace Solutions. Since 2000, the airline has successfully reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third and is the number 1 ESG rated airline in Europe by Sustainalytics, MSCI and CDP.

Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching nearly 30 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers. In 2023 easyJet was named by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies and a Leader in Diversity 2024 by The Financial Times.