easyJet has kicked off a new recruitment campaign to encourage more over 50s, career changers and people looking to ‘unretire’ to join its cabin crew workforce.
The budget airline’s Returnship initiative has been launched today after new research shows 74 per cent of over 50s agreed that this was the perfect time for a new career and 67 per cent have considered returning to work.
As part of the campaign, easyJet will offer free online cabin crew career information sessions and a hands-on cabin crew training taster session at its Gatwick training centre to give those considering a new career the opportunity to find out more about the job from the airline’s crew training and recruitment experts.
Michael Brown, director of cabin services at easyJet, said: “Since launching our campaign to encourage more over 50s and career changers to become cabin crew, we’ve been delighted by the fantastic response with many more joining us and we want to see that continue.
“Being cabin crew can be a job for anyone with the skills, no matter their age, which is why it’s important that through our initiatives like our ‘Returnship’ campaign, we tackle misconceptions about the job and broaden horizons for even more talented people looking for a new opportunity who can bring their wealth of life experience to the industry.
“So, if you’re passionate about working with people and want a job that’s different every day, then we would absolutely encourage you to apply and can’t wait to welcome you on board as part of the team.”
Since launching its first campaign in 2022 to show that anyone with the right skills regardless of their age can become cabin crew, easyJet said it has seen the number of new hires over the age of 50 more than double, while the number of over 60s joining as cabin crew has increased four times over.
With the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showing that the employment rate in the UK for those over 50 is increasing again, the low-cost carrier said it wants to encourage more of this experienced and skilled demographic to apply for the hundreds of cabin crew roles available for 2025.
New easyJet research of 2000 over 50s revealed 67 per cent have considered returning to work and 46 per cent have considered a new career.
82 per cent agreed the main reason for doing so would be to take on a new challenge, while 77 per cent agreed this would be to have as many experiences as possible.
66 per cent agreed the change would be to pursue a dream job. But when it came to becoming cabin crew, 71 per cent of those surveyed believe their age would stop them being accepted for the job, while 16 per cent believed they could not apply above the age of 30.
easyJet’s Returnship initiative will offer people the opportunity to learn more about the job and application process directly from easyJet’s recruitment and training experts, as well hearing from cabin crew who made the move themselves in their 50s.
