NACO, a company of Royal HaskoningDHV, in association with Women in Aviation ERAU-Worldwide Chapter, commemorated the 2023 Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) – an initiative connecting the youth to aviation professionals and careers in aviation.
The ‘Fun Day’ was hosted, on 23 September 2023, in 150 countries including South Africa, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Hundreds of young girls aged eight to 18 worldwide participated in the Ninth Annual Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) – the fourth with NACO as an industry collaborator. This remarkable event unfolded in the respective cities, offering a range of unique activities and experiences.
Renee Smith, NACO GIAD Programme Director:NACO is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry. That is why the GIAD programme is an annual highlight for us, as it aims to develop the next generation of talent to meet the evolving needs of the continent.
With Girls in Aviation Day, we hope to inspire young minds, encourage STEM careers, nurture talent, and pave the way for a brighter future in aviation. We were also so honoured to have the support of partners like Women in Aviation International (WAI), who’d provided kits for each student, and Embraer, who’d generously supplied T-shirts for both students and volunteers.
On the day, the GIAD participants were able to interact with inspirational female role models, they heard from industry professionals and participated in vocational brainstorm sessions, and a Paper Airplane Challenge. They also received certificates for completed training and had their 3D designs showcased.
Three Pivotal Events Annually
The Girls in Aviation Fun Day was the last of three events that NACO facilitates annually. In collaboration with Fireblade Aviation, NACO hosted its launch event in South Africa – a Women’s Day Event on August 5, 2023, at OR Tambo International Airport. Participating were 15 high school students, 15 tertiary students with engineering degrees, and 40 industry professionals. The event included a comprehensive tour of the facilities, speakers from NACO, Fireblade, and Airstudent Travel, and a networking session.
The next event was the Sustainable Aviation Training days, which took place on 14 & 21 August 2023; in South Africa, Nigeria, and Mozambique, with 60 grade 4 students in Johannesburg, 70 students of different ages in Abuja and Kaduna, and 20 grade 10 students in Maputo participating in both online and classroom sessions. Its aim was to impart knowledge about innovation in aviation, covering topics such as aerodromes, battery and hydrogen-operated aircraft, alternative energy sources, and 3D printing. Students also had the opportunity to design their own eVTOLs using free online 3D design software.
The next event was the Sustainable Aviation Training days, which took place on 14 & 21 August 2023; in South Africa, Nigeria, and Mozambique, with 60 grade 4 students in Johannesburg, 70 students of different ages in Abuja and Kaduna, and 20 grade 10 students in Maputo participating in both online and classroom sessions. Its aim was to impart knowledge about innovation in aviation, covering topics such as aerodromes, battery and hydrogen-operated aircraft, alternative energy sources, and 3D printing. Students also had the opportunity to design their own eVTOLs using free online 3D design software.
The programme concluded with the Girls in Aviation Fun Day.
Since 2019, the NACO led Girls in Aviation Day programme has reached 780 students, across South Africa, Mozambique, and Nigeria, introducing them to careers in aviation and STEM.
This article was originally published by NACO.
