At the heart of every meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative lies a shared vision: one that elevates people, empowers communities, and prepares the world for the challenges ahead. In an era when industries face evolving pressures and workforce shortages threaten progress, Leidos Australia and RMIT University are stepping up—with ambition, action, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of aviation leaders.
This week’s CSR Success Story spotlights a shining example of purposeful partnership: the 2025 Leidos Aviation Scholarship, celebrated in grand style at the Avalon Airshow—Australia’s premier aerospace exhibition. More than a funding initiative, this program is helping reshape the very foundations of Australia’s aviation workforce.
The Sky Is No Limit: Leidos and RMIT Announce 2025 Aviation Scholarship Recipients
The Avalon Airshow, known for showcasing cutting-edge aerospace technology and talent, became the perfect launchpad for the announcement of this year’s Leidos Aviation Scholarship recipients. Now in its second year, the program has grown even more impactful. Leidos Australia, a trusted defense and technology innovator, in partnership with RMIT Aviation Academy, has awarded over $150,000 across six scholarships to final-year aviation students.
These are not just awards—they are lifelines, enabling passionate, high-performing students to break financial barriers and take flight toward a career in specialist aviation.
Tackling Workforce Shortages with Purpose
The global aviation sector is facing a critical shortage of skilled pilots—a problem that poses challenges for not only commercial airlines but also for essential national operations such as emergency services, defense missions, and search and rescue.
James Woodhams, Vice President of Leidos Airborne Solutions, explained the company’s motivation:
“The aviation industry continues to face critical workforce shortages, and we are proud to be playing an active role in addressing these challenges. We recognise that the cost of flight training can be a major barrier to entry for aspiring pilots. By providing financial support and exposure to specialist aviation careers, we are helping to shape a pipeline of highly skilled pilots who can support vital national operations.”
This isn’t charity—it’s strategic CSR with long-term national impact. In supporting students today, Leidos is building tomorrow’s aviation professionals—those who may one day fly missions that save lives, protect borders, or respond to crises.
Scholarships That Go Beyond the Classroom
What makes this program a true CSR standout is not just the scholarship money, but the holistic support and experiential learning that come with it. The 2025 recipients were given VIP access to the Avalon Airshow, where they met industry leaders, observed real-time aviation demonstrations, and interacted with some of the most advanced aircraft and systems in operation today.
These moments aren’t just inspirational—they’re transformational. Exposure to real-world aviation operations provides context, confidence, and connection, making students better prepared for the dynamic demands of the aviation sector.
RMIT Aviation Academy Director, Lea Vesic, emphasized this powerful blend of education and industry experience:
“Programs like the Leidos Aviation Scholarship are critical in ensuring we have a strong talent pipeline for the future—not just in the commercial passenger transport sector, but also in critical aviation services such as Search and Rescue operations.”
An Exclusive Partnership with National Significance
The Leidos-RMIT partnership is more than a sponsorship—it is a co-investment in Australia’s aviation future. RMIT, known for its robust aviation training programs, has tailored aspects of its curriculum to align with Leidos’ unique needs in special mission aviation. This includes specialized training for pilots involved in surveillance, defense support, medical evacuations, and humanitarian relief.
Through this partnership, Leidos is helping to upskill talent, diversify the aviation field, and offer a clearer career pathway to students who might otherwise be excluded due to the high cost of pilot training.
And the program is already delivering results: Five of last year’s recipients have graduated and begun employment with Leidos, a living testament to how corporate responsibility can translate into real-world, job-ready outcomes.
CSR at Its Best: Strategic, Sustainable, and Scalable
As Australia grapples with complex workforce needs in a fast-evolving geopolitical and environmental landscape, the Leidos Aviation Scholarship stands out as a model CSR initiative—one that aligns corporate interest with community advancement.
What makes this initiative so powerful?
- It’s targeted: Focused on a sector in urgent need of talent.
- It’s inclusive: Supporting students who may be financially disadvantaged.
- It’s strategic: Building a pipeline of highly skilled, job-ready aviation professionals.
- It’s measurable: Delivering quantifiable outcomes—students trained, graduated, and employed.
This is not about ticking boxes or reputation-building. It’s about impact, vision, and legacy.
Taking Flight Toward a Brighter Future
In a world full of turbulence—climate change, economic shifts, and global conflict—the need for capable, compassionate, and courageous leaders in aviation has never been more important.
Thanks to Leidos and RMIT, six more young Australians are now firmly on the path to becoming those leaders. They represent more than scholarship recipients—they symbolize a future where opportunity and responsibility take wing together.
And as these students soar into their careers, they carry with them not just the dreams of flight, but the weight of a country’s hopes—and the support of institutions that believe in them.
CSR is no longer a side initiative. It’s the runway on which the future takes off.
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