easyJet marks its 100th Generation easyJet cadet pilot course with training partner CAE

easyJet is marking a major milestone today as it welcomes a brand new cohort of 22 cadet pilots from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages and career paths onto the 100th course of its Generation easyJet Pilot Training programme with long-standing training partner, CAE.

Among those beginning their training journey to becoming a newly-qualified easyJet pilot is Josephine, 27, who completed a PhD in organic chemistry before deciding to pursue a career in the flight deck; Patrick, 40, who spent years working in motorsport engineering for some of the world's most celebrated automotive brands; and Csongor, 31, who is leaving a career in financial regulation to pursue his lifelong dream to become a pilot.

The cohort also includes three easyJet employees taking the next step in their careers with the airline. Mathys, 24, and Martin, 53, have both built careers as easyJet cabin crew members and are now swapping the cabin for the flight deck, while Tim, 50, is making a significant career change later in life.

Since the programme's launch in 2010, more than 1,300 cadets have commenced training through the partnership and over the next five years, 500 more new pilots are expected to join the airline, operating A320 family aircraft across the airline’s short haul network spanning 160 airports across Europe and North Africa and flying 100 million customers each year.

Daniele Grassini, Director of Training and Standards for easyJet, said:

"Reaching our 100th pilot training course with CAE is a fantastic achievement, not just for easyJet, but for everyone who has been part of the programme over the years.

"What makes this cohort particularly special is the diversity of people joining the programme, from a PhD chemist and a motorsport engineer, to two of our very own cabin crew members and a career changer at 50, a powerful demonstration that there are many routes to a career in the flight deck.

“We pride ourselves on the highest standards of industry-leading training which means that every cadet who graduates does so fully equipped to begin their career as a pilot with us and we look forward to seeing many more join easyJet in this rewarding career."

Alexandre Prévost, President, Civil Aviation, CAE, said:

“Reaching this milestone together reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership with easyJet and our shared commitment to training the next generation of airline pilots. We are proud to support aspiring pilots on their journey to the flight deck and look forward to helping many more cadets launch rewarding careers with easyJet.”

Dr Josephine Stewart, easyJet cadet said :

"I first thought about becoming a pilot during my first year of university, but decided to finish my studies and gain experience before pursuing it. Now, having completed my PhD, I am incredibly excited to finally take that step. Aviation has always been a dream of mine, and I hope my journey shows that there are no boundaries or timeframes when it comes to pursuing what you love, whatever your background or where you are in life."

The Generation easyJet MPL programme is delivered in partnership with CAE, a global leader in aviation training, and provides aspiring airline pilots the highest standards of training to become qualified commercial airline pilots in around two years. Ground training is delivered at CAE’s European aviation academy locations in Gatwick, Milan, Malaga, or Madrid, and flight training at CAE Phoenix in the United States. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates begin their careers flying as a pilot with easyJet.

The airline continues to encourage more people to consider the career, including a focus on encouraging more women to apply as part of its commitment to increasing diversity in all forms across the airline.

With still only around 6% of pilots worldwide being women, easyJet has been focused on tackling this industry-wide gender imbalance head-on, by encouraging more women to join the profession.

Through this work, easyJet has more than tripled the number of female pilots in its ranks over the last decade, and continues to focus on building a more diverse pipeline of future aviation talent including through its Pilot School Visits programme which has seen easyJet pilots engage with hundreds of schools across the UK, helping to challenge stereotypes and inspire the next generation to consider a career in aviation.

For more information about a career as pilot with easyJet visit: becomeapilot.easyJet.com.