For 216 teenagers, a career in aviation or space may now feel closer. They have completed a programme that introduces young people to the industry and the skills needed to work in it. The students, aged 15 to 18, came from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. They took part in the first AeroSTAR programme, a 60-hour course run by non-profit organisation Amideast in partnership with Boeing.
More than 90% of participants said the programme had increased their interest in aerospace careers, according to the organisers.
The course ended with a four-day regional camp in Amman, Jordan, from 9 to 12 October 2026. The top-performing teams from each country took part in career workshops, presented projects and visited Queen Alia International Airport and Joramco, a company that maintains, repairs and overhauls aircraft.
The programme comes as the aviation industry faces growing demand for workers. Boeing estimates that the Middle East will need 236,000 additional aviation professionals over the next 20 years. Africa will need another 75,000 over the same period.
The figures highlight the scale of the workforce needed to support the industry’s growth, including aircraft operations and maintenance.
“AeroSTAR is our proactive investment in building a robust local talent pipeline, sparking early interest in aerospace careers, and equipping the next generation with the skills required to advance our industry,” said Wael Zaoud, Boeing’s managing director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Greta C. Holtz, a retired ambassador and president and chief executive of Amideast, said meeting industry professionals and visiting workplaces helped students consider careers they might not otherwise have thought about.
“Meeting people working in these professions, visiting workplaces, and seeing the range of possible careers allowed participants to envision perspectives they might not have considered before,” she said.
“Together, Amideast and Boeing are committed to offering more young people the real-world exposure, connections, and experiences that can help them identify and pursue new options for their future.”
AeroSTAR combines industry knowledge, professional mentoring and soft-skills training. The programme aims to help teenagers understand the range of careers available in aviation and space before they choose their further education or professional paths.
Recruitment for the next group of students is due to begin in October 2026. Organisers plan to increase the number of places available in the five participating countries.
