2 September 2026

STEM School Accelerates Aviation Career Opportunities for Ethiopian Youth

Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing have concluded the fourth edition of their six-week STEM School at Ethiopian Aviation University, with 28 Grade 11 students receiving more than 300 hours of aviation, engineering and digital- skills training.

Why this article matters
Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing’s STEM School addresses one of African aviation’s most persistent long-term constraints, the availability of sufficiently trained people to support fleet, network and infrastructure growth. By exposing secondary- school students to engineering, maintenance, digital technologies and aviation operations before they enter tertiary education, the programme helps build an earlier pathway into specialised aviation careers. The inclusion of young women and students drawn from across Ethiopia also broadens the potential skills pipeline. With Boeing estimating that Africa will require around 75,000 new aviation professionals over the next 20 years, sustained programmes of this kind can contribute to developing the technical workforce needed to support future industry growth.

Of Interest
- The 2026 STEM School ran for six weeks at Ethiopian Aviation University, providing participants with more than 300 hours of learning and industry exposure.
- Twenty-eight students participated in the 2026 programme, with young women accounting for half of the intake.
- The curriculum covered coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and virtual reality, alongside teamwork, communication and problem-solving.
- Students received practical exposure to Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo, maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, as well as other aviation facilities.
- The programme has been delivered annually since 2023 and has now reached more than 100 Ethiopian students.
- Boeing estimates that Africa will require approximately 75,000 new aviation professionals over the next 20 years.

Supplied Stem School Graduation Cake Cutting

The annual programme organised by Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing provides students with training, job shadowing, career talks and field visits to aviation facilities.

Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing have successfully concluded the fourth edition of their STEM School programme, equipping grade 11 students with the skills and inspiration to pursue careers in aviation and engineering.

Running from July 13 to August 21 at the Ethiopian Aviation University, the six-week programme provided participants — half of whom were young women — with over 300 hours of immersive learning. The initiative, which draws students from all regions of Ethiopia, combines rigorous classroom instruction with internships, mentorship sessions with Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing professionals and field visits to aviation facilities.

Supplied Stem School Omni Radar Presentation

The curriculum blended digital skills, including coding, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), with essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving. Leveraging the operational expertise of Africa’s largest airline, students gained firsthand exposure to Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo, maintenance, repair and overhaul and Ethiopian Aviation University facilities for hands-on learning.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said: “Working on youth education is a direct investment in Ethiopia’s future. This initiative prepares tomorrow’s leaders and creative thinkers by equipping them with the essential skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. We are honoured to see these talented young people succeed, and we are confident that they will play a vital role in shaping industries. We also thank Boeing for partnering with Ethiopian Airlines on such important initiatives.”

For students like Yoftahe Belete, an 18-year-old, the programme opened doors to the industry: “We observed how airplanes are maintained, undergo multiple inspections, and how technicians take care of them.”

“At a time when Africa will need an estimated 75,000 new aviation professionals over the next 20 years, Ethiopia’s rapid expansion of fleet, network and infrastructure is setting the pace,” said Henok Teferra Shawl, Boeing managing director for Africa. “Through our STEM School with Ethiopian Airlines, we are building a connected community of future leaders ready to write the next chapter of aviation growth in Ethiopia and across the continent.”

Alumni engagement is a programme staple: participants from prior cohorts return each year to share knowledge and foster peer support.

The STEM School extended beyond the classroom with educational visits to the National Palace Museum, the Addis Ababa Science and Technology University and the Ethiopia Science Museum. At the Science Museum, students interacted with a permanent aerospace exhibit featuring a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight simulator, a replica of the Starliner spacecraft and detailed models of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the International Space Station’s Cupola module.

Delivered annually since 2023, the STEM School has now empowered more than 100 Ethiopian students, including 28 young people in 2026. The programme is held in close coordination with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, ensuring a transparent selection process and alignment with the nation’s priorities in science and technology education.