Published on
August 19, 2025
By: Paramita Sarkar
easyJet has launched the Flight Paths initiative, designed to tackle youth unemployment in the UK by helping young people who are “not in employment, education, or training” (NEET). With over one in seven young Brits aged 16–24 classified as NEET, the airline is stepping up its efforts to provide career opportunities in the aviation industry. The initiative aims to recruit nearly 1,000 new cabin crew members for 2026, offering 18-24 year-olds an accessible pathway into a rewarding career as cabin crew.
Focus on NEET Youth and Unemployment
The UK currently faces the highest level of youth unemployment in over a decade, with recent figures revealing that 12.5% of young people (nearly one million) are NEET. To combat this, easyJet’s Flight Paths initiative will help bridge the gap between young adults and career opportunities, particularly in the aviation sector. A recent study shows that misconceptions about the qualifications required for cabin crew positions prevent many young people from pursuing such careers. The initiative aims to break these barriers and demonstrate that a career as cabin crew is accessible to all, regardless of educational background.
Why Flight Paths Is Important for NEET Youth
easyJet’s research into the factors hindering youth employment shows that 92% of young people are unaware that no minimum educational qualifications are required to apply for a cabin crew role. This lack of knowledge is a significant barrier to many young Brits who would otherwise be interested in aviation. The Flight Paths initiative seeks to educate and inspire young adults to consider a career in the aviation industry by providing hands-on experience through free taster sessions at the airline’s London Gatwick Training Centre. These sessions offer an opportunity for young people to learn more about the role, meet with current cabin crew members, and understand how such a career can provide travel opportunities, career progression, and valuable life skills such as communication, team management, and problem-solving.
Who Can Benefit from the Taster Sessions
The taster sessions, available throughout this summer at easyJet’s London Gatwick Training Centre, are specifically targeting 18-24 year-olds, including school leavers who may be unsure of their next step after receiving their A-level results. The sessions offer a direct pathway for those interested in aviation careers but who may be uncertain about where to begin. EasyJet aims to show how a career in aviation, particularly as cabin crew, can be a fulfilling, long-term option, with opportunities for travel and personal development.
How easyJet Is Supporting Early Career Development
In addition to the Flight Paths initiative, easyJet is also actively engaged in promoting early career development through its Enterprise Advisors Programme. This programme connects easyJet employees from various departments such as Engineering, IT, and Operations with local schools, primarily in Luton and Gatwick, to provide career guidance and employability support to young people. This comprehensive approach to supporting youth employment is part of easyJet’s broader commitment to fostering opportunities for young adults in the UK.
What the Recruitment Drive Will Achieve
The new cabin crew recruitment drive is designed to address the shortage of skilled workers in the aviation sector while helping to reduce NEET levels across the UK. As part of its mission to recruit around 1,000 new cabin crew members for 2026, easyJet is working to promote aviation as a viable career choice for young people, particularly those looking for their first job or a change of career. The airline is also addressing a common misconception that cabin crew roles are not suitable for men, as research shows that nearly 89% of young men believe the role is typically reserved for women.
This ongoing effort by easyJet will provide young people with the tools and knowledge necessary to pursue a fulfilling career within the airline industry. By offering taster sessions and accessible recruitment opportunities, the airline is making aviation more appealing to young people and helping to lower the number of NEET individuals in the UK.
How EasyJet Is Breaking Barriers and Inspiring the Next Generation
Through the Flight Paths initiative, easyJet is demonstrating that a career in aviation is not only accessible but also an exciting and rewarding path. The hands-on taster sessions at the Gatwick Training Centre will show young people how working as cabin crew offers more than just a job – it is an opportunity for personal growth, skill development, and travel. By creating opportunities for young adults to explore careers in aviation, easyJet hopes to encourage a new generation of workers who are ready to take flight in their careers.
For those interested in joining the Flight Paths initiative, easyJet is now accepting registrations for their recruitment drive via the airline’s official website.
As a result of this initiative, easyJet aims to play a key role in supporting youth employment in the UK, reducing NEET figures, and helping young people to envision a future within the dynamic world of aviation.
Image: easyJet
