Opening pathways into defence: Purpose Lab students meet Leonardo
In a recent Purpose Lab session, students met Leonardo to explore routes into aerospace and defence, what the work involves, and how access can be widened for people from all backgrounds.
Students attended from a variety of education including Cardinal Newman College, GBS, Liverpool Hope University and University of Salford.
Pathways into the sector
Leonardo set out multiple entry points beyond core engineering, including business and project management roles on the graduate programme. Degree apprenticeships were highlighted as a strong option - paid experience, funded study and responsibility from day one - alongside placements, internships and insight days. Students asked for clearer signposting of these routes, with simple timelines, eligibility and examples of real projects.
Purpose and impact
The discussion reframed defence around safety and protection - communications, sensing, cyber and resilience - rather than aggression. This helped students connect roles to public value and understand how a wide mix of disciplines contributes to national security and critical infrastructure.
Reducing barriers
Leonardo outlined relocation help for early-career hires moving significant distances and described an accessible recruitment approach, including reasonable adjustments throughout assessment and guaranteed interviews for candidates who meet minimum criteria. Students also wanted clearer guidance on application quality - how to tailor CVs, navigate screening and understand feedback.
Inclusion in practice
Widening participation is an active focus for Leonardo with re-worded job adverts, gender-balanced interview panels, targeted outreach and visible role-model stories just some of the activity it is undertaking. Students asked for more presence across schools, colleges and universities - especially regionally - plus mentoring, scholarships and regular touchpoints after events so interest turns into applications.
Student feedback
Themes in the room were consistent:
Stereotypes begin early and shape subject choices.
Awareness or roles with defence can be limited.
Finance and location can limit opportunity.
Non-STEM routes need equal visibility.
Seeing recent joiners and mid-career professionals - particularly women and people from under-represented groups - talk candidly about their work was seen as crucial.
The session reframed the defence sector as work that safeguards people and infrastructure, while making entry routes feel practical and attainable. Students left with a clearer sense of where they fit and greater confidence that opportunity at Leonardo is real and within reach.
