As part of the Women in Aviation & Aerospace Charter’s Meet the Signatories series, members of the Charter explain why they joined the Charter, and what steps they have since taken to ensure the inclusion of women in the sectors.
Next in the series, we talk to the Sandy Gunn Aerospace Careers Programme:
Please name your organisation and explain what it does in the aviation or aerospace industry
Coupled with the restoration to flight of unarmed and unarmoured reconnaissance Spitfire PR.VI AA810 which found the Nazi Battleship Tirpitz and whose final pilot, Sandy Gunn, was involved in the Great Escape and subsequently murdered by the Gestapo, ‘The Sandy Gunn Aerospace Careers Programme’ is a promotional and careers advisory service on behalf of engineering & aviation generally and the aerospace industry in particular. It’s three-fold purpose is to: (1) engage 15 – 18 year-olds’ interest in the aerospace & aviation industries; (2) inform them of the career opportunities available and the routes into them; (3) provide continually updated supporting material at that stage, and as they progress their careers thereafter.
The Programme comprises: an annually updated roadshow of eight presentations to groups of school across the UK (plus an annual national event with the RAF Air Cadets) which, over the years, cover all schools and Cadet wings that wish to participate; via a national competition, two annual practical engineering workshops which introduce young people to appropriate skills, and conclude with their individual construction of a genuine Spitfire part; an active network of all people and organizations involved, including mentoring, and industry virtual and hands-experiences.
Why did you join the Women in Aviation & Aerospace Charter?
Because the Programme covers all young people from the age group above regardless of type of school, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic background across the UK, including urban, rural and inner-city locations.
What steps are your organisation now taking to help improve gender balance in the industry?
The creation and operation of The Sandy Gunn Aerospace Careers Programme.