EasyJet airline has announced that it is seeking 1,000 new pilots and is urging individuals to apply for the 2024 training programme. There are 200 spots available right now, according to the vacation provider, and no prior expertise is required.

In around two years, aspirant pilots with little to no experience will be able to take the controls of a commercial Airbus A320 aircraft as a certified co-pilot thanks to the Generation easyJet Pilot Training programme. By 2028, easyJet expects to hire over 1,000 new pilots as part of a five-year recruitment campaign.

7.5% of easyJet’s pilots in the UK are women compared to the UK industry average of 6.5%, with around 300 women including 99 Captains now flying for the airline, which has continued to work on tackling stereotypes and misconceptions around the job and encouraging more women to apply.

Earlier this month the airline launched an online test which assesses some of the key skills required to become an airline pilot, after research revealed that half of Brits (50%) don’t know what qualifications are needed to become an airline pilot and learn to fly a commercial jet. To apply to easyJet’s Pilot Training Programme, aspiring pilots need to be aged 18 or over by the time they begin training and have a minimum of 5 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) of Grade C or above (or equivalent), including Mathematics, Science and English language – no higher qualifications or degrees are required.

Training takes place with the airline’s training partner CAE at its aviation academy locations in Gatwick, Milan, Brussels, or Madrid, with flight training taking place in the US. On successful completion of training, graduates begin their careers flying as a co-pilot with easyJet.

Captain Kate West, Pilot Training Manager at easyJet said: “We are delighted to reopen applications for this year’s Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme as part of our drive to recruit 1,000 new pilots and encourage more people to join this fantastic profession.

“The training to become a pilot focuses on skills such as communication and problem-solving, so when working as a team in the flight deck, diversity is incredibly valuable. Tackling stereotypes about our job is critical to driving this and while we are proud to have many more women flying with us today, we know there is always more to be done to increase all forms of diversity and remain committed to leading the industry in this.