Graduation success for JET students

I’ve been volunteering for the Jon Egging Trust (JET) for over ten years, working closely with the young people on JET’s Blue Skies programme across Hampshire and Dorset. Now, as the schools begin to return from summer, we also get ready with our preparations for supporting the next academic year of Blue Skies students at NATS. And what better time to reflect on the graduation ceremonies JET hosted over the summer months for the students on the programme.

Being asked to attend the graduations is such an honour. They are a chance to celebrate the young people and their achievements in completing either year one, two or three of JET’s three-year Blue Skies programme. A programme that is supported by 56 partner agencies across the UK, of which NATS is one.

This year I joined the celebrations at RAF Odiham and was once again in awe of the way the students approached their day with gusto; presenting to JET employees, charity partners, volunteers, and their parents, guardians, friends and families.

The students talked about the range of activities they undertook during the school year, what they enjoyed and what they learned along the way. Public speaking is a nerve-wracking experience for most of us, so it was incredible to see just how much the students’ confidence and capability had grown. Seeing each individual stand on stage really brought to life the accomplishments the students have achieved, the contributions they have made, and most importantly, how they have developed and invested in themselves.

Watching these young people graduate on a bright summer’s day was wonderful, and it was great to hear so many of them speak positively about the activities they had taken part in with NATS specifically, ranging from talks with our air traffic controllers (ATCOs) to controlling aircraft in our simulation suite. To hear that NATS volunteers had provided such inspiration and guidance, in addition to having a lot of fun along the way, was heart-warming.

Whilst the graduation marks and end of their involvement with JET for the Blue Skies third year students, with some going on to college or into the world of work, others have made the decision to become JET ambassadors and will promote the Trust at future events. And of course, we will be welcoming back to NATS the students who still have a year or two left in the programme very soon. I am really excited to engage with these young people once again with our growing band of amazing NATS volunteers!

NATS began a partnership with JET in 2018, and we frequently work directly with JET’s young people through the Blue Skies programme across Hampshire and Dorset. Blue Skies is a three-year programme centred around skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership and links the students with inspirational people and environments connected to aviation, science and engineering. The programme inspires the students to re-engage with education and build the confidence and resilience they will need for life in the workplace.