Belfast City Airport is continuing its investment in the next generation of leaders with the launch of the seventh year of its IGNITE Youth Leadership Programme.
Open to young people aged 16 to 18 from all backgrounds across Northern Ireland, IGNITE is designed to provide young people with the skills and experience needed to grow into confident leaders.
Over the next 10 months, participants from 19 different secondary schools and higher educational colleges will collaborate with recognised names in the field of sports, business, radio, entrepreneurship, and politics, while undergoing work placements and skills training.
The initiative has exceeded its original ambition of supporting 100 students, successfully engaging more than 150 students since 2019, with a further 26 students signed up to take part in the 2026/2027 programme.
Speaking at the launch, Michelle Hatfield, Chief People and Marketing Officer at Belfast City Airport, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to bring back IGNITE for another year. Since launching in 2019, we have seen first-hand the difference it has made to hundreds of young people across Northern Ireland.
“As an airport situated in the heart of the city, we’re committed to having a long‑term social impact that meets local needs and IGNITE is a key part of how we achieve this – by working alongside local schools and colleges to empower individuals, strengthen connections, and create meaningful opportunities for growth and development.
“We look forward to seeing how the next group of participants grow in confidence, develop as leaders, and make the most of every opportunity available to them.”
Through a hands-on approach, participants are able to strengthen their personal skills, recognise their individual strengths and values, build on their confidence and connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals.
Upon completing the initiative, students will have also gained an NLP Diploma in Personal and Career Development, further enhancing their personal and professional development and strengthening their employability.
Kieran Devlin and Gerry Kelly, trainers of IGNITE Programme from ACHIEVERS Consultancy, spoke of their support for the programme and their involvement in its launch:
“We are incredibly proud to work with Belfast City Airport for another year of the IGNITE Youth Leadership Programme as it launches for the seventh year.
“Initiatives like this are vital in helping students in Northern Ireland succeed in both education and future employment.
“It was an honour to contribute to the opening session once again and support this year’s cohort as they take meaningful steps towards shaping their futures.”
The 2026/2027 IGNITE programme features students from schools and colleges in Ballymena, Coleraine, Bangor, Ballynahinch, Larne, Lisburn, Dungannon, Lurgan, East Belfast, North Belfast, South Belfast and West Belfast.
For more information on the IGNITE programme, visit www.belfastcityairport.com.