NATS inspires hundreds of young people into STEM roles

In a bid to educate more young people about careers in aviation, NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic services, recently attended one of the biggest Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) fairs on the South Coast.

The Big Bang @ Solent event saw over 750 young people and 60 businesses come together on Thursday 26 April at the Hilton Hotel at the Ageas Bowl.

NATS provided several interactive activities on their stand, including an air traffic controller simulation and paper plane trajectory game. The students were able to explore how STEM skills are used in the Air Traffic Management industry, in the hope that this will encourage them to consider aviation careers in the future.

Emma Walmsley, engineering placement student at NATS, said: “The day was incredibly successful – we really put NATS out there to hundreds of young people and gave them an awareness of how STEM makes our company tick.”

Research by NATS recently revealed that only 6% of 16-25s have received advice on careers in aviation, and jobs in retail, professional services and health were at least four times more likely to have been discussed in formal careers interviews with young people.

Vicky Newhouse, Engineering Early Careers Manager, said: “It’s hugely important for the future of NATS to be key players in promoting STEM to young people and we certainly did that at this event.”

The Big Bang @ Solent is a large and interactive STEM careers fair organised by EBP. EBP South is a leader in connecting young people to the world of work and continuing to provide schools with essential opportunities.

Pictured: NATS early careers volunteers at the event.