Affinity recently welcomed students from the Jon Egging Trust (JET) to RAF Cranwell for a Graduation Preparation Workshop, supporting them as they take the next steps in their development.
The session gave students the chance to experience a working aviation environment while building confidence, communication skills and a better understanding of the different career paths available.
Building Confidence Through Practical Experience
The Jon Egging Trust works with young people over time to help them develop key life skills such as teamwork, communication and self-belief.
During their visit, students from Barnes Wallis Academy took part in a full day of activities at Cranwell. After some initial icebreakers, they heard directly from our teams about the roles we support and the different ways people build careers in aviation.
They also spent time in Hangar 29, seeing first-hand the type of work that goes into supporting flying operations day to day.
Building Confidence in Practice
A big focus of the day was helping students build confidence in a practical way.
Working in teams, they developed and pitched their own airline ideas, encouraging collaboration, creativity and problem-solving. They also practised delivering graduation speeches — something that may have felt out of reach at the start of their journey, but is an important milestone for many of them.
Tony Dolan, Training Delivery Manager, highlighted the value of giving students a real insight into working life, explaining that sessions like this can help spark those “lightbulb moments” that make a lasting difference.
Supporting the Jon Egging Trust
Affinity has supported sessions like this with the Jon Egging Trust across our sites.
Through this, we’ve seen how providing practical experiences and time with industry professionals can help young people build confidence and start thinking differently about their future.
Clare Trendell, Marketing & Communications Manager, who has been involved in supporting these activities, said:
“It’s about giving young people the belief that they can achieve more than they thought possible.”