Student debt is rarely out of the headlines.
And its young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds who are most likely to feel its impact – often taking on larger loans, earlier, with fewer safety nets.
In April, a cohort of Jon Egging Trust Blue Skies students discovered there can be another way.
During an inspiring visit to British Airways, students met a brilliant cross‑section of the BA team – pilots, engineers, HR professionals and many others – who generously shared their own journeys into aviation. They heard first‑hand how an apprenticeship route can open doors, offering the chance to earn and learn, build a career, and gain a degree (or even a Masters) along the way.
As our Director of Impact and Engagement, Laura Carey explains, experiences like this can spark a sense of possibility: ‘For our students, this wasn’t abstract advice. It was real people, real pathways, and a powerful reminder that the sky genuinely is the limit. We are so grateful to the British Airways team for their time, openness and inspiration.’
The impact on the students was clear. One commented ‘Today has been really good because it made me realise that I could actually get a job as a pilot, which I didn’t think I could do before.’ Another said that they’d learnt there were lots of opportunities at BA that they could aspire to ‘I learnt that to get jobs here, you don’t HAVE to pass all of your GCSE’s, you just have to try your hardest and see where it takes you.’
At JET, we believe that whatever a young person’s skill or passion, aviation offers a remarkable range of opportunities, and that apprenticeships can be a transformational route into the industry rather than a second choice.
This is a view shared by British Airways, whose Student Outreach Manager Sam Higgins explains: ‘At British Airways, we look for young people’s attitude over aptitude. You don’t need a long CV to get started – apprenticeships are a powerful way into our industry, giving you the chance to build real skills from day one, earn while you learn, and shape a meaningful career in aviation.’