Aviation Industry Skills Board (AISB)

Driving the quality of aviation apprenticeships and aligning other workplace skills and vocational education activities through one strategic, employer-led board.

The Aviation Industry Skills Board (AISB) was formed in 2007 as part of a joint collaborative working partnership for the aviation sector. 

Members of the AISB work collectively to drive the quality of apprenticeships, ensuring they remain fit for purpose, but also have a wider interest to align other workplace skills and vocational education activities in the UK.

Critically, the board brings together employers from airlines, airports, and ground handling agents alongside other stakeholders, trade associations and the Department of Transport (DFT)  to act with ‘one voice’.

The board operates a number of important sub groups which are critical to achieve its objectives. Bringing the groups together under one board helps align the variety of skills related activities undertaken in the sector.

Members of the board

Members, carefully selected for their combined expertise and passion in skills and apprenticeships, each play a significant role in helping to ensure we have a planned and coordinated approach to skills, which can only be achieved through a genuine partnership between employers, delivery partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Employer members

• Rebecca Wakelin (Chair), Early Talent & Apprenticeships Manager, TUI Group

• Charlotte Booton (Vice Chair), Apprenticeship and Early Careers Manager, Easyjet

• Mark McWalter, Head of Aviation Skills, Aviation Directorate, Department for Transport (DFT)

• Suzi George, Apprenticeships & Professional Development, Virgin Atlantic

• Poorvi Patel, Head of Education, Employment and Skills, Heathrow Airport

• Sam Screpis, Talent Manager, Easyjet

• Ricky Leaves, Senior Manager - Apprenticeships, Jet2

• Julie Whittle, Employee Development Manager, Swissport

• Rebecca Kable, Head of HR Operations, Menzies Aviation

• Kirsty Stonnell, Quality & Compliance Apprenticeship Specialist, TUI Group

• Roger Gault, Pilot Consultant, Honourable Company of Air Pilots

• Jo Caranston, Senior Account Manager, Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)

• Patricia Holgate, Emerging Talent Lead, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

• Kelly Jones, Passenger and Customer Services Manager, Cornwall Newquay Airport

• Andy Deakin, RAF Accreditation Centre Manager, RAF

• Nick Davis, Head of Skills & Careers, Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)

• Sam Salter, Programme Manager (AGP), Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP)

• Nichola Hay, Chair of AELP, Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP)

• Brenda Jefcoate, Project Manager - STEM Careers, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)