Skip to main content

Tag: Event

Engage 2 at Airspace World 2025: inspiring aviation careers

Engage 2 took an active role at Airspace World 2025, held in Lisbon by contributing to the second edition of Tomorrow’s Voices, an initiative led by CANSO in collaboration with Engage 2 and Firstfruits Services. The programme is designed to bring young professionals aged 20 to 30 closer to the world of Air Traffic Management (ATM), offering them direct exposure to the sector, opportunities for dialogue with industry representatives and insights into the future of airspace management.

Thematic workshop. The future workforce in the Era of new entrants

A central moment of Engage 2’s participation was the first thematic workshop titled The Future Workforce in the Era of New Entrants. The discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities related to the integration of new airspace users, such as drones and advanced air mobility solutions, into the ATM ecosystem. The workshop highlighted the growing need for new interdisciplinary roles, such as architects specialised in urban drone operations and urban planners familiar with U-space design. Participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds engaged in open discussions, with younger attendees in particular pointing out a disconnect between academic training and practical industry needs. Many expressed the need for more hands-on learning and support in navigating the technical language commonly used in aviation.

Panel discussion: exploring career pathways in the evolving aerospace industry

The following day, on 15 May, Engage 2 contributed to the panel Exploring Career Pathways in the Evolving Aerospace Industry”, moderated by Micol Biscotto (Deep Blue, coordinator of the project). The panel brought together experts from leading organisations across the aviation and aerospace sectors – George Vergara (RTX), Snežana Tomčić (AviAll – Aviation for All), Nicola Ni Riada (IFATCA), Romulo Gallegos (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), Sabina Zaharescu (CINEA) and Sue Meeks (Infina, Ltd) – who explored the skills required for the future, emerging roles and how to build a meaningful career in a rapidly evolving landscape. One key insight that emerged was the demographic shift currently underway: with a significant portion of the ATM workforce approaching retirement, the sector is at risk of losing valuable mentorship capacity. In this context, Engage 2’s mission to connect junior and senior professionals becomes even more vital, helping ensure that knowledge and experience continue to be passed on to the next generation.

Inspirational Tours: a guided journey through the aviation professions

Among the most engaging activities of the event were the Inspirational Tours, a new format developed by Engage 2 to guide young participants through thematic routes across selected exhibitor stands. Each tour focused on key professional profiles in aviation, including air traffic controllers, AI engineers, cybersecurity experts and U-space service providers. The tours offered an accessible and tangible introduction to both traditional and emerging roles within the sector, with particular attention to future-focused domains such as drone integration and advanced air mobility. Accompanied by a dedicated Career Passport, participants were invited to collect stamps at each stop and take part in short, structured conversations with industry experts. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, and plans are already in motion to refine and expand the format for upcoming editions.

Engage 2’s presence at Airspace World 2025 reaffirms its commitment to supporting the future of aviation by facilitating meaningful connections, inspiring curiosity and bridging the gap between today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders in airspace innovation.

Join the Inspirational Tour at Airspace World 2025 – and win!

Step into the future of aviation with Career Passport: Boarding Your Future – the interactive adventure designed for young professionals and students, developed by Engage 2 as part of the Tomorrow’s Voices programme at Airspace World 2025 (Lisbon, 13-15 May 2025).

🗓️ When?
The Inspirational Tours will take place on Thursday 15 May, between 12:00 and 13:00 at Airspace World.

🎟️ How to join?
Register now to secure your place: https://forms.gle/8R8AEVK16Ygq3s6E6

This isn’t just an exhibit, it’s a mission. With your Career Passport in hand, you’ll explore the industry’s most exciting roles, from air traffic controllers to AI engineers, drone operators, cybersecurity specialists, and more. Meet real aviation experts, hear their stories, and collect exclusive stamps at each stop along your journey.

Visit at least 5 stand per tour and collect stamps, and you’ll be in with a chance to win a €100 voucher to spend on online training courses, the perfect way to invest in your future!

How to play

  1. Get your Career passport;
  2. Start the tours – use the map of the venue to locate the each stop on your tours:
    • Tour 1: Shaping future skies and operational excellence
      Jobs: ATC, CNS Engineer, Cybersecurity specialist, Aviation safety inspector
      (Themes: Digitalisation, Front-Line Operations, and Safety)
      Description: Explore how cutting-edge ATM solutions are shaping a safer, more efficient, and digitally enabled airspace. This tour takes you to the heart of front-line aviation operations, where air traffic controllers manage complex and evolving skies with precision and adaptability. Discover the engineering minds behind the communication, navigation, and surveillance systems that power modern air traffic management and meet the digital innovators integrating artificial intelligence into aviation’s core infrastructure. Finally, step into the safety and security ecosystem: learn how cybersecurity specialists defend aviation’s digital backbone and how safety inspectors uphold the highest operational standards.
      Companies to visit
      • Amper – Digitalisation & Safety
      • CAE – Digitalisation & Operations
      • DFS – Digitalisation, Operations, Safety
      • NOAMAI – Digitalisation
      • Frequentis – Digitalisation
      • Nokia – Digitalisation
      • NATS – Digitalisation & Operations
      • Indra – Digitalisation
    • Tour 2: Innovating tomorrow’s skies
      Jobs: UAS Operator, AI Engineer, HMI designer, U-space service provider
      (Themes: Advanced Air Mobility, Drones, and Innovation Leadership)
      Description: Step into the frontier of aviation innovation. This tour explores how new technologies and human-centred design are transforming airspace as we know it. From uncrewed aircraft systems to advanced air mobility, discover how UAS operators manage drone traffic with precision and situational awareness. Meet AI engineers and digital visionaries developing intelligent, adaptive systems that will shape the future of connected skies. Explore how human-machine interface designers and human factors specialists ensure that innovation remains usable, intuitive, and safe — putting people at the centre of complex systems. Join us to see how tomorrow’s aviation is being imagined, built, and refined today.
      Companies to visit
      • Amper – Advanced Air Mobility
      • Unifly – Drone Integration
      • SkyGrid – Drones
      • DFS – Advanced Concepts
      • DroneTalks – Drone Advocacy
      • Indra – Drones & AAM
      • Nokia – Drones
      • NATS – Drones & AAM
  3. Engage with experts in a 10-minute conversation about different aviation professions, hear their insider stories and be inspired!

SESAR AI Flasghip workshop in Rome to advace ATM collaboration

The SESAR Joint Undertaking, supported by Engage 2, announces the upcoming AI Flagship workshop, set for 11 November 2024 at Spazio Europa in Rome, Italy. This workshop aims to bring together key stakeholders, researchers, and industry experts to collaborate on advancing Artificial Intelligence in Air Traffic Management.

Building on the discussions from the AI Initial Coordination Workshop held in September, this session will focus on deepening our collective understanding of AI and advancing the regulatory debate in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Key objectives of the workshop include:

  • Promoting interaction among SESAR projects working in AI
  • Encouraging dialogue with EASA on AI implementation and regulation
  • Shaping the future of AI in ATM through collective contributions

This event presents a valuable opportunity for participants to engage with fellow experts and stakeholders, sharing insights and contributing to the future of AI in the aviation sector.

Engage 2 presents the matchmaking app concept at EASN 2024

At the 14th EASN International Conference held in Thessaloniki, Greece, Engage 2 showcased the early stages of its innovative matchmaking app designed to bridge the gap between students, academia and the ATM industry. Tommaso Vendruscolo, Senior UX/UI Designer & Human Factors Consultant at Deep Blue, presented the concept, methodology and development steps of the tool, which is set to become a student-centric application for navigating the aviation industry.

The app, developed by Engage 2, aims to foster connections between students, universities, and companies, enabling users to create profiles, discover mutual opportunities, and participate in events such as hackathons and open days. It also offers a variety of job cards and videos to help students explore career paths in the ATM sector, supporting them in making informed decisions about their futures.

This matchmaking app represents Engage 2’s commitment to empowering the next generation of aviation professionals by creating a digital platform that responds to the evolving needs of the aviation industry.

Registration is open for the Winter School in Belgrade

Registration for the Engage 2 Winter School in Belgrade is now open! Attendance at this intensive four-day program, scheduled from January 27 to 31 2025, is free of charge. However, due to limited space, applications are encouraged to be submitted as soon as possible. The deadline to apply is November 20th, 2024. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance/rejection by the end of November.

Hosted by the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering in Belgrade, the program will be led by a renowned faculty of experts, including industry leaders from EUROCONTROL and prominent academics from the University of Westminster and, of course, the University of Belgrade.

This intensive four-day program is designed for postgraduate students, experienced researchers and industry professionals in the ATM sector. The Engage 2 WinterSchool offers a unique opportunity to:

  1. Gain in-depth knowledge of key ATM concepts and challenges
  2. Explore advanced research methodologies through interactive tutorials
  3. Learn from prominent industry leaders and researchers
  4. Network with peers and build valuable connections within the ATM community

Engage KTN past editions
Do you want to know what it means to attend an Engage 2 Winter and Summer School? Let’s take a look at the past editions of the Engage KTN Summer School: you can find all the information about the three past editions of the Summer School, including topics, speakers, and much more to pique your interest.

Save the date for the first Hackathon in Madrid, 24-25 March 2025

Mark your calendars for an event you won’t want to miss! Engage 2 announces its inaugural hackathon, set to take place on the 24th and 25th of March 2025 in Madrid.

This event will bring together new talents to the aviation industry for two days of intense collaboration and creativity. Participants will have the opportunity to tackle the industry’s digitalization challenge, featuring a 24-hour coding session to tackle proposed ATM-related challenges.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a budding entrepreneur, or simply passionate about technology, the Engage 2 Hackathon promises to be an unforgettable experience. Stay tuned for more details and registration information coming soon.

We look forward to seeing you in Madrid!

Engage 2 shines at the European Researchers’ Night 2024 in Trieste

Engage 2 recently took part in the European Researchers’ Night 2024, held in Trieste, representing an important step in science communication and public engagement. The event, hosted in the heart of the city, in Piazza Unità, allowed participants to immerse themselves in the world of air traffic management (ATM) through an interactive game developed by the University of Trieste. This game enabled attendees to explore data from a typical day at one of several European airports, dynamically selected by an algorithm.

The aim of the game was to showcase, through data, the immense volume of work, air traffic, and energy consumption that revolve around air travel. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the extensive efforts required by professionals in the ATM sector to ensure smooth and efficient operations. By putting themselves in the shoes of these professionals, the public left with a renewed appreciation for the role of ATM in keeping global travel safe and sustainable.

This success story from Engage 2 unfolded within the larger context of the European Researchers’ Night, an annual celebration of science that spans over 300 cities across Europe. The initiative, funded by the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, seeks to bridge the gap between researchers and the public, creating opportunities for people of all ages to engage with cutting-edge science. Through hands-on activities, talks and exhibitions, it serves as an important platform for bringing research out of the lab and into everyday life.

Engage 2’s involvement in the event also coincided with Trieste Next, the renowned festival of scientific research. In its thirteenth year, the festival brought together scientists, humanists and esteemed figures from both Italy and abroad, underscoring Trieste’s role as a hub for science and innovation. This year’s edition focused on the future of technology and research, fostering discussions and collaborations across disciplines.

With its interactive and educational approach, Engage 2’s presence at these high-profile events further strengthened its mission to connect science with society, sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Engage 2 at the European Researchers’ Night 2024

We are happy to announce that the Engage 2 project will participate in the upcoming edition of the European Researchers’ Night, taking place in the beautiful setting of Piazza Unità, Trieste. This event, a major celebration of science and research, will be held on the 27th of September 2024.

Organised by our partner, the University of Trieste with the contribution of the Coordinator Deep Blue, this engaging activity, titled “Uno sguardo al cielo: ma quanto è complesso il trasporto aereo europeo?” (A look at the sky: How complex is European air transport?), will bring the world of air traffic management closer to the public.

Through a fun and interactive map-based game, participants will understand the immense scale and complexity of European air transport, as well as the numerous challenges it faces, from environmental impact to connectivity, especially given the daily surge of aircraft across European skies.

This activity will demonstrate how research is essential in designing a more sustainable air traffic system, both environmentally and economically. The activity will be conducted in Italian, making it accessible to the local community and ensuring a broader engagement.

Join us in Trieste to explore the future of air transport and discover how research can pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient aviation system!

Fore more info (in italian): https://www.sharper-night.it/sharper-trieste/

Save the date | AI Flagship Workshop in Rome

Engage 2 announces the AI Flagship Workshop, set to take place in Rome on Monday, 11 November 2024. This event will be held just hours before the commencement of SIDs 2024, making it an important gathering for all SESAR-funded projects under the flagship initiative.

Before this event, a coordination online workshop will be held on the 20th September 2024.

The AI Flagship Workshop aims to foster enhanced collaboration among SESAR projects, bringing together key stakeholders, researchers, and industry experts to discuss advancements, share insights, and strategise on future initiatives. This workshop is an opportunity for participants to engage in discussions, explore innovative solutions and strengthen the network within the SESAR community.

The event will feature a series of presentations and networking sessions designed to maximise interaction and knowledge exchange. Participants will have the chance to showcase their work, learn from each other’s experiences and identify potential areas for cooperation.

We look forward to welcoming all SESAR projects and stakeholders to this event in Rome, where we will collectively drive forward the goals of the AI Flagship and continue to advance the future of air traffic management.

Stay tuned for further updates and detailed agendas as we approach the event date!

Join Engage 2 at SESAR Innovation Days 2024!

We are excited to announce our participation in the SESAR Innovation Days 2024!

Come to visit at our stand, where you will have the opportunity to meet all our project partners and, most importantly, test the first prototype of our innovative matchmaking app. This app is designed to allow students, universities and companies to create profiles and search for joint opportunities, fostering new collaborations and accelerating innovation.

Don’t miss this chance to explore and connect with leading minds in the industry!