Partnership Development Manager, Victoria Roberts, shares some information about how exhibitors can get involved in our Pioneers of Tomorrow event which takes place on the last day of the Farnborough International Airshow.

The countdown to FIA2024 is on! Having been part of Farnborough International since 2016, I’m looking forward to welcoming visitors onsite once again this July. Every edition sees new features and themes develop but one that has remained a crucial part of the show is engaging with and inspiring the next generation.

Pioneers of Tomorrow, previously named Farnborough Friday, takes place on the last day of the show, Friday 26th July. It’s a dedicated event that runs alongside the traditional trade day, designed to address the workforce challenges within the industry. Find out more about the history of the airshow and public days.

With an ageing workforce – half the aerospace workforce is over 45 years old, almost a quarter of staff are over 55 and for the largest employers, almost 20% of staff are eligible to retire, figures which highlight the urgent need to engage students and inspire them to consider a career in aviation (Baroness Vere if Norbiton, Former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Aviation, Maritime and Security) – it vital that the industry works together to resolve the issue. The Farnborough International Airshow, already convening the global industry, offers the perfect platform for this.

As part of the Partnership Development team here at Farnborough, I’ve worked closely with the Aerospace Events team to understand from industry what their key objectives are for the day, in order to create a programme of events and opportunities.

For the Friday, we open our doors to a wider audience, including schools, universities and the general public, allowing our exhibitors to engage with two key audiences – career starters/movers and the younger, potential future workforce.

The Department for Education (DfE) said evidence had shown that children started to form ideas about their future when they began primary school, yet most careers guidance took place in secondary schools. (Children as young as five in England target of new careers programme | Careers | The Guardian)

We feel it is as important to welcome the younger generation at it is those ready to join the workforce. The event offers the opportunity to inspire them through a jam-packed agenda of STEM activities and showcases. With the potential of some of these visitors being our future leaders, as an industry competing with other technological industries, now is our time to shine!

For those older visitors – 16-22 year olds exploring apprenticeships and career opportunities, 21+ graduates and career movers – it’s a chance for industry to directly engage with them and share immediate and upcoming opportunities.

So how do you get involved?

Hosted in Hall 1, our dedicated Careers Hub will offer exhibitors face to face access with those looking for roles, as well as offering visitors one-on-one advice sessions and career seminars. There is also an opportunity for exhibitors to list their vacancies on our live jobs board.

Throughout the day, there will be dedicated spaces for STEM activities to take place – ideal for those who are not taking a stand or want to keep their trade and STEM activities separate. For those who are exhibiting and want to run activities within your exhibit, there are a number of ways that FIL can support and promote these. Additionally, we can introduce you to our hand-picked delivery partners who can help you prepare and run activities for Pioneers of Tomorrow on your behalf.

Find out more

If you’d like to discuss options on how you can be involved, reach out today.

✉️ [email protected]
📞 +44 (0)7825712531