Women In Aerospace Symposium - 5th Edition
The WIA-Europe Symposium returns for a 5th edition. This year, the Symposium will explore the topic of ‘Skills In Motion’.Ā Join us for a series of lunchtime events between 4th and 7th May, where we discuss ‘driving aerospace innovation & entrepreneurship.’ This year, we are combining virtual lunchtime sessions with a dedicated in-person day in Brussels, offering practical insights into aerospace careers, essential skills, and start-up development.
Events will take place from May 4th to May 7th, daily 13:00 -14:00 CET.Ā
Registration is now open!
Monday, May 4th
Event 1: Start-Up Day (online)
The day will be dedicated to start-ups and innovation, offering one to three interactive workshops on funding instruments, entrepreneurship, innovation support mechanisms, and future trends.
Key Highlights:
- How to start and grow a start-up in the aerospace industry, including investment, sales, marketing, and team building
- Career journeys and leadership insights from individuals shaping the future of aerospace
- Expert perspectives on the most important emerging trends in the global space economy
Time: TBC
Speakers: TBC
Tuesday, May 5th
Event 1: From Degree to Deployment: Why the First 5 Years Decide Everything (online)
This session looks at early-career pathways and the gap between education and industry. Weāll discuss questions such as:
- Are universities preparing systems thinkers?
- Why do many aerospace careers stall around years 3ā5?
- What may be missing: confidence, networks, or regulation literacy?
The discussion brings together students, early-career professionals, universities, educators, and industry talent leaders interested in strengthening the aerospace talent pipeline.
Time: TBC
Speakers: TBC
Wednesday, May 6th
Event 1: From Personal Skills Development – Workshop (online)
Poll-selected workshop exploring key transferable skills engineers donāt learn in school.
Time: TBC
Speakers: TBC
Thursday, May 7th
Event 1: Brussels In-Person Day ā Networking & High-Level Discussions
This in-person day in Brussels brings together industry leaders, policymakers, startups, and early-career professionals for high-level discussions and panels on Europeās aerospace and innovation landscape.
Highlights include:
- From Start-Up to Sovereignty: Why Europe Loses Its Aerospace Scale-Ups ā examining the structural challenges facing high-growth companies.
- Do EU Skills Instruments Deliver Who They Promise? ā exploring the policy mechanisms addressing the early-career 3ā5 year gap.
While earlier events in the series focus on hands-on experiences and practical skills, this day provides a strategic, policy-level perspective, combined with networking opportunities to connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders.
Time: TBC
Speakers: TBCĀ
Registration and Tickets
Ā
The registration form offers you two ticket types (you can choose one or both):
- Online ticketĀ ā free access to virtual lunchtime sessions.
- In-person ticketĀ 7 May, Brussels
*Please only register for the in-person ticket if you plan to attend, and if your plans change, cancel via Eventbrite or email events@wia-europe.org so someone else can take your place.
