East Midlands Airport Operations Director among new aviation ambassadors announced to inspire next generation
East Midlands Airport’s recently-appointed Operations Director has been named by the Government as one of its new aviation ambassadors to inspire the next generation.
The Department for Transport has announced that Lauren Turner will join the next cohort of aviation ambassador volunteers from later this month to help showcase opportunities for diverse and disadvantaged communities by shining a light on the wide range of aviation jobs.
Lauren took up her role as the airport’s Operations Director last October after working in a wide variety of roles at the airport since 2013 when she joined as a security officer. She says she is looking forward to drawing on her own experiences – which also include airfield security, the airport’s control room, airfield operations supervisor, Airport Duty Manager and Head of Airfield Operations - to inspire young people, and especially young women, to consider roles in aviation.
She described deciding to work at an airport as “the best decision I have ever made,” opening up a wide variety of job opportunities, often in roles traditionally dominated by men.
As an Aviation Ambassador, she will promote jobs, skills and training in the sector by going into schools, hosting workshops, and using social media to reach primary, secondary and college students across England. Lauren will champion apprenticeships, mentoring and skills development for young people in the area, and is keen to create a more inclusive and supported pathway for future aviation professionals.
This role supplements the airport’s existing work to attract people into the sector, including its Aerozone providing education and insights for school age children, and its Academy which runs industry-recognised courses as a pathway into airport-based jobs.
From airfield safety to flight operations, to piloting, customer service and emerging technologies, the Aviation Ambassador programme raises awareness of the many careers paths available to suit every skillset and every passion.
Ambassadors deliver a range of outreach activities, including giving talks in colleges, supporting industry events, and promoting aviation careers through online platforms and traditional media. This engagement has reached thousands of people who may never have considered aviation as a career option, including those in underrepresented communities.
The initiative is part of the Generation Aviation programme, which sees government and industry working together to help build an aviation workforce fit for the future and attract diverse, talented people.
Lauren said: “I am really proud to be one of the Department for Transport’s new Aviation Ambassadors.
“East Midlands Airport’s education and skills programme – including our on-site Aerozone and Academy – works with thousands of young people every year to showcase the broad range of career opportunities the aviation industry has to offer.
“I am excited to use my own experience to help shape the careers of young people in our region. I’m particularly keen to draw on my own professional journey at East Midlands Airport to encourage women to consider roles in the aviation sector.”
CEO of East Midlands Airport’s parent company MAG, Ken O’Toole, said: “We are extremely proud to see Lauren appointed as an Aviation Ambassador. Her wealth of knowledge and experience within our sector will be invaluable to inspiring a new generation of aviation professionals, which is vital to the future success of our business and the wider industry.
“As a major employer across the North, Midlands and South, MAG has a significant role to play in providing skills and employment opportunities for surrounding communities, stimulating regional and national economic growth.”
Aviation Minister, Keir Mather, said: "Aviation is full of exciting opportunities and fulfilling career paths and we’re determined to encourage more young people to see the sector as a place where they can thrive and build rewarding, long-term futures.
“Our Aviation Ambassadors are key to making that happen – sharing their own journeys, helping to break down barriers and showing the sky really is the limit. By broadening horizons, we’re helping to secure the future of UK aviation while delivering regional growth, jobs and skills.”