WAI-SG celebrates 5th anniversary with new partnerships, mentorship and outreach initiatives

Women in Aviation Singapore (WAI-SG) recently celebrated five years of championing women in aviation at its annual gala dinner. This year’s theme “Celebrating five years of advancing women in aviation”, marks a moment of reflection and forward planning for WAI-SG, as it deepens partnerships across the aviation industry and sharpens focus on ensuring mentorship translates into tangible career outcomes for young women. At the gala dinner, WAI-SG formalised two new multi-year partnerships to further strengthen Singapore’s aviation talent pipeline and expand opportunities for the next generation of aviation professionals. Bombardier’s collaboration will centre on outreach and talent development, including mentorship, book prize sponsorships for female engineering and aerospace students, and support for WAI-SG’s youth outreach events. Singapore Flying College will play an active role in developing aspiring aviation professionals in technical and pilot pathways, bringing its training expertise and industry experience to mentorship, learning opportunities and industry engagement. The two agreements build on four other partnerships established over the past two years, including with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Airbus. Together, these collaborations expand WAI-SG’s ability to provide mentorship and scholarship opportunities, strengthen academia-industry pathways into technical and pilot careers, recognise promising female talent, and raise the visibility of women’s contributions across the aviation industry. “For five years, WAI-SG focused on promoting gender diversity and empowering girls and women who dream of careers in aviation. We take pride in milestones such as achieving more than 100 mentee graduates in our mentorship program, conducting over 20 outreach events and reaching over 5000 participants, building a vibrant community and fostering strong partnerships with key aviation organisations. It will take collective effort to continue advancing our mission of empowering the next generation while championing those already shaping the industry today, and I cannot wait for the next five years of inspiring, connecting and empowering even more women to shape the future of aviation,” said Mabel Kwan, President, Women in Aviation Singapore Chapter. WAI-SG has also continued to evolve its mentorship programme to better reflect the breadth of careers available across aviation. Originally focused on corporate career development, the programme now comprises of dedicated tracks for aspiring pilots, technical professionals such as engineers and aircraft maintenance specialists, and leadership and corporate career development. This more tailored approach allows mentees to receive guidance and industry exposure aligned with their individual career aspirations. Extending the commitment to the next generation, WAI-SG will bring its flagship initiative Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) back this November for its 6th edition, to be held at Temasek Polytechnic. The annual initiative introduces young women aged 8 to 17 to the breadth of career opportunities in aviation and aerospace, helping turn early interest in the industry into greater awareness of the pathways available to them. Since its launch in 2021, GIAD has grown into one of Singapore’s largest aviation outreach events for girls, attracting increasing participation from students, families and industry partners each year. Last year’s edition marked a record turnout of more than 800 attendees, including over 400 girls, with support from over 25 partner organisations—the highest level of participation since the programme began. Together, the Gala Dinner and GIAD captures WAI-SG’s growth in its first five years – from building a community of women in aviation to creating stronger pathways into the industry through mentorship, education, and long-term partnerships. As it enters its next chapter, WAI-SG aims to deepen collaboration across the aviation ecosystem and strengthen its role in developing the next generation of aviation talent in Singapore. The Women in Aviation Singapore Chapter is a non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring, encouraging, and advancing women in all positions and fields of aviation. Through programs and networks, the chapter fosters diversity and inclusion, empowering the next generation of female leaders in aviation. Women in Aviation Singapore aims for a more equitable future in the industry, providing opportunities for women to excel and lead in aviation and aerospace. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]