Engage 2 was proud to participate in the successful Aviation 4 Girls (A4G) 2025 event, hosted at EUROCONTROL HQ on November 10, 2025.
The event welcomed nearly 200 young participants from over 20 nationalitieson-site, with an additional 400+ livestream viewers joining remotely. Through captivating stories, live demonstrations and hands-on workshops, participants discovered the magic and limitless possibilities within aviation. The feedback from the attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many leaving inspired to pursue careers in the industry, a testament to the impact of all the partners involved.
Highlighting future careers and innovation
In collaboration with AviAll – Aviation for All, Engage 2 played a role in showcasing the diverse career paths within ATM and the broader aviation ecosystem. We presented our Job Cards, offering the young audience a tangible look at the wide variety of roles available, helping to break down stereotypes and make the sector more accessible. Furthermore, attendees were given an exclusive first look at the matchmaking app, currently under development. This innovative tool is designed to help connect talent with opportunities, ensuring the next generation of professionals can easily find their place and thrive in the industry. The participation of Engage 2 and AviAll underscores a shared commitment to fostering a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce that will shape the future of aviation.
On Monday 10 November, Engage 2 will take part in Aviation for Girls 2025 – Girls in Command, an inspiring event dedicated to encouraging young women to explore careers in aviation organised by AviAll, the association founded in 2021 by Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) practitioners from across the aviation industry, working together to build a more diverse and inclusive sector..
As part of our commitment to fostering the next generation of aviation professionals, Engage 2 will bring its Inspirational Tour activity and a selection of Job Cards designed to showcase the wide variety of roles and career paths within Air Traffic Management and aviation.
Through these interactive materials, we aim to break stereotypes, promote inclusion, and empower young women to imagine themselves as future innovators, engineers, controllers, and leaders in the aviation domain.
This participation aligns with Engage 2’s broader mission to connect knowledge, people, and opportunities across the aviation research community, ensuring that the sky of tomorrow is open to everyone.
The final results and achievements of the SESAR-supported exploratory research projects TRUSTY, ASTRA, SynthAIr, CODA-ATC, alongside the transversal project Engage 2, will be presented at a joint final dissemination event focused on the application of AI in ATM. Registration is mandatory for both on-site and online attendance, register now.
Agenda
Event information
Date: 5th December 2025
Location: Rikli Balance Hotel, Lake Bled, Slovenia
Time: 9:00 – 14:00 CET
Format: Hybrid (On-site and Online)
The event “AI-based innovation in ATM: enhancing efficiency, trust and safety” will showcase innovations aimed at improving efficiency, trust and safety across the European ATM network. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the project teams and learn about the tested AI-based solutions in areas such as enhancing air traffic control efficiency, building operator trust in autonomous and AI-driven systems and ensuring the highest standards of safety in a digitalised airspace.
This joint event underscores the collaborative effort within the SESAR framework to accelerate the delivery of the Digital European Sky through high-value research and innovation.
The detailed agenda and the online connection details will be distributed to registered participants in the coming weeks.
The Engage 2 project successfully showcased its efforts in shaping the future of the aviation workforce during the recent EASN International Conference. The project’s participation reinforced its commitment to bridging the gap between academic training and industry requirements through strategic initiatives and collaborative partner efforts.
A key highlight of Engage 2’s presence at the conference was the dedicated presentation of its innovative Job Cards and interactive videos. These resources, which are crucial for defining and communicating the skills needed in the modern aviation sector, were presented thanks to the invaluable support of the SESAR organisation. The Job Cards generated lots of interest, demonstrating a clear demand for structured educational and career development tools within the European aerospace research community.
The second Engage 2 Open day
Beyond the main conference activities, the project partner EASN played an important role in promoting young talent engagement. EASN organised the Second Open Day as part of the Students & Young Researchers Networking Event: Shaping the future workforce of the Aviation Sector. This dedicated networking event provided a dynamic platform for more than 130 participants, including students and young professionals, to connect with leading researchers and industry experts.
The fire-side chat event was orchestrated by Dimitri Mavris and Prajwal Shiva Prakasha, who commenced the event with an inspiring talk on “Navigating a Sky of Opportunities: The Career Journey in Aerospace Real experiences. Real challenges. Real inspiration.” The event, which took place at the glamorous Domo of the Universidad Politécnica De Madrid, and was followed by a networking session with several elite senior professionals in the aerospace sector, who initiated interactive discussions and mentorship opportunities on career options and opportunities. Marcello Kivel Mazuy, representing SESAR JU, specifically acted as a mentor for Engage 2 Open Day during this event, actively engaging with the participating audience, and guiding the young researchers on the pathways that can help in career enhancement within the ATM sector.
The Open Day event is central to Engage 2’s dissemination strategy, directly fostering the next generation of aviation specialists.
The success of the Open Day was warmly received by the attendees. Reflecting on the event’s importance, Marcello Kivel Mazuy – RTD and Innovation Manager at SESAR – stated: It was an honour and a burden for me! Guiding and mentoring the next generation of aeronautic experts was a great challenge because we will rely on their passion and work. This is what I told to all… be yourself, enjoy your work, and live with passion each single day! This is what will really change our lives! Your energy and engagement! I will always be your best fan! Enjoy the future, it’s yours!
The comprehensive participation in the EASN International Conference marked a significant milestone for the Engage 2 project, strengthening its outreach and underscoring the critical role it plays in advancing aviation skills and competence across Europe.
The second edition of the Engage 2 Summer School took place from 22 to 26 September 2025 in Braunschweig, Germany, hosted by Technische Universität Braunschweig. The event gathered 20 participants from across Europe, selected from 41 expressions of interest, to explore key research themes in ATM and foster collaboration among early-career researchers and professionals.
According to Thomas Feuerle, responsible for the organisation of the event: The Engage 2 Summer School 2025 in Braunschweig went very well from my perspective. We had more than 20 participants from all over Europe. The spirit was very open and we had many good discussions, not only after the presentations, but also within the different breaks or at the social event. The broad bandwidth of presentations clearly showed the complexity of the ATM system. I am very happy with the five intensive days, with the quality of the presentations, the engagement of the participants and the feedback I received so far.
The programme combined lectures from leading institutions – including TU Delft, the University of Trieste, the University of Westminster, TU Braunschweig, and EUROCONTROL – with presentations from PhD candidates, six of whom are directly involved in Engage 2. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, from modelling and simulation techniques to system-level challenges in ATM research.
Feedback collected from participants confirmed the high quality of the event’s content and organisation. The majority rated the overall experience, communication, and logistics between 4 and 5 out of 5, describing the Summer School as a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and build networks across the ATM research community. Participants particularly appreciated the diversity of topics and the openness of discussions, noting that the format encouraged active interaction and peer learning. Many expressed interest in attending future editions, highlighting the Summer School as a key event for knowledge sharing and professional growth in the field of ATM research.
Suggestions for future improvement included dedicating more time to hands-on sessions and practical case studies, alongside the existing mix of lectures and PhD presentations. The Summer School once again demonstrated Engage 2’s commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers and strengthening the links between academia, industry, and institutional stakeholders in the SESAR research framework.
Engage 2 will partecipate in the forthcoming 15th EASN International Conference. This high-profile event is a gathering for experts, researchers, industry leaders, academics and policymakers from around the world, and this year is set to feature a significant ATM presence.
Thanks to the direct involvement of our partner, EASN, this conference will be the setting of the second Open Day, as part of the Students & Young Researchers Networking event, on “Shaping the future workforce of the Aviation Sector”.
The event will serve as a strategic opportunity to reach a wide audience of early-career professionals and students. The session, which will take place on October 16, will involve approximately 100 students, organised into small groups (5–10 participants each), engaging with 10–15 expert mentors from various sectors of the aerospace domain. These mentors, drawn from both academia and industry, will deliver brief, impactful talks and facilitate informal discussions to highlight diverse career paths, with a particular emphasis on ATM and Airport operations. The day will conclude with a relaxed networking event designed to promote further exchanges.
Furthermore, Engage 2 is proud to be one of the projects showcased at the SESAR booth. We will be sharing key materials and insights, such as our job cards, videos, and other valuable resources, demonstrating our impact on the aviation sector.
Registrations are now open for the second edition of the Engage 2 Summer School, taking place from 22 to 26 September 2025 in Braunschweig, Germany. This training opportunity is designed for PhD students, early-career researchers and young professionals working in or studying ATM.
After a successful first edition in Belgrade, the 2025 Summer School will focus on key topics in ATM modelling and simulation, with expert-led sessions and hands-on activities.
Participation is free of charge, but places are limited.
Please note: submitting the registration form is not a final confirmation of participation. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Engage 2 PhD students are guaranteed admission.
What you will learn
Participants will explore a range of cutting-edge tools, methods, and applications, including
Agent-based fast time simulation in ATM
Mathematical programming techniques for modelling air traffic
Mercury simulation tool
BlueSky simulation tool
How synthetic data can support airline disruption management
Event-driven airport simulation
This Summer School provides a unique platform to enhance your technical skills, expand your professional network and engage with the European ATM research community.
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.
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.
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
Get your Career passport;
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
Engage with experts in a 10-minute conversation about different aviation professions, hear their insider stories and be inspired!
Engage 2 is proud to be part of Tomorrow’s Voices, the space at Airspace World dedicated to empowering the next generation of aviation professionals. Across two days – 14-15 May 2025 – Engage 2 will host interactive activities designed to inspire, connect and inform students, young professionals, and innovators of all ages. Register now for Tomorrow’s Voices and take your first step into the future of airspace. Are you a student? You could receive a €100 support contribution to help you attend the event! To apply, simply write to engage2-coordinator@dblue.it.
📍 Tomorrow’s Voices area, Airspace World 2025, Lisbon
📆 14–15 May 2025
Here’s what’s on the horizon.
✈️ Thematic Workshop: The Future Workforce in the Era of New Entrants, 14 May 2025, 09:30–12:30
This first Engage 2 thematic workshop focuses on Thematic Challenge #4: Integration of New Entrants into the ATM System. Through an engaging and hands-on format, the session will explore the skills and career paths of the future, the evolving needs of the ATM sector, and innovative ways to attract young talent. Are you passionate about drones and new aviation frontiers? Then don’t miss this opportunity! Register here: Registration Form Note: seats are limited. You will receive a confirmation upon registration.
🔍 Inspirational Tours
Join us for curated small-group Inspirational Tours across selected exhibitor booths. These guided visits will introduce you to real-world technologies, roles, and career paths in aviation, from operations to innovation, from human-centred design to regulation. Each tour is based on different aviation professional profiles to help you explore the industry through the lens that suits you best. Complete at least three tours to be in with a chance of winning a €100 voucher to spend on online training courses! Register here.
🎲 Board to Fly: The Ultimate Aviation Trivia Challenge
Get ready to put your aviation knowledge to the test with Board to Fly, the serious game developed by Deep Blue! Challenge your friends (or rivals!) and learn more about the aviation sector in the most fun and competitive way possible. Learn more about the game, here.
