All three of MAG’s airports come together for virtual International Day of Women and Girls in Science event

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) today hosted a virtual event to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

The event named ‘Girls in STEM’, involved 17 secondary schools from communities surrounding all three of MAG airports – Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands, with pupils learning more about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers at MAG and the aviation sector as a whole.

East Midlands Managing Director Clare James opened the session, speaking to students about her experiences working within the aviation sector, which have led her to leading the UK’s largest pure freight airport.

Attendees also heard from a range of female colleagues who work in STEM roles across the Group, in departments such as airfield operations, engineering, IT and digital services. They talked about their professional experiences and what it is like to be a woman in their chosen fields, with students given the opportunity to ask questions.

Alongside internal speakers, pupils also had the chance to hear from female Ryanair captain, Amelia Munford.

To close, MAG’s Early Talent Manager Smitesh Patel spoke about the opportunities available at MAG and how students could begin their careers in aviation working across three of the largest and strategically important airports in the UK.

The Group also encouraged male pupils to attend the virtual session, to see women represented in STEM aviation roles and understand more about the importance of gender balance within the sector.

As well as the virtual event, the local education team at East Midlands Airport attended an event at the University of Derby to promote the airport as an employer and to deliver a STEM taster session to Year 8 female students. The team at Manchester Airport also attended a school careers fair at Sir John Deans Sixth Form in Northwich to promote careers in aviation.

Marcella M’Rabety, Group Head of Education, Skills and Employment at MAG said: “This event was a fantastic opportunity to bring together schools from across the three regions we represent, and for the future workforce of our industry to learn more about STEM opportunities.

“It is very important that female students hear from women who are already working in STEM careers, to encourage and inspire them to take a similar path as they look to their own futures.

“MAG has a range of ways in which young people can begin their careers in aviation, and we hope this event will lead to more young women exploring those exciting opportunities.”