Saturday, April 12, 2025
KLM recently welcomed 30 young schoolgirls to its Engineering & Maintenance (E&M) hub for Girls’ Day 2025, offering them an inspiring, hands-on experience aimed at igniting their interest in aviation, technology, and innovation.
In an effort to challenge gender stereotypes and spark curiosity in aviation, KLM hosted the group of primary school girls from De Regenboog Tochtwaard in Alkmaar as part of the nationwide Girls’ Day 2025 initiative. Organized by VHTO, this event connects young girls with companies in STEM fields to encourage them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The students were given a rare and exciting behind-the-scenes tour of KLM’s aircraft engineering operations. They had the opportunity to learn about aircraft maintenance, explore cutting-edge aviation technologies, and see the inner workings of the airline’s technical division—an area typically dominated by men, with women currently comprising only 9% of the workforce.
By bringing these girls into the heart of its engineering operations, KLM aims to demonstrate that aviation is not only open to women but actively requires their involvement and innovation. This initiative is part of the airline’s broader commitment to promoting inclusion, diversity, and inspiring the next generation to break through traditional boundaries, empowering them to envision careers as engineers, technicians, and leaders in the world of aviation.
The girls received a tour of the hangar and the engine shop, participated in a quiz, and got hands-on experience assembling a 3D-printed airplane engine. Danique (11) said she thinks it was ‘super fun’. “We did really fun activities like touring the hangar and the engine shop. I learned about how much an engine weighs and many other things. The best part was the workshop on assembling the 3D printed engine,” said Danique. Ashley (11) was also impressed: “The best part was the tour in Hangar 14 because everything there is really big and tall, really cool! I learned that it takes a lot of work to get an airplane into the air. If I don’t become a professional soccer player, I would like to work at KLM.”
Stefanie Boers, a KLM E&M employee, plays a key role in organizing Girls’ Day on behalf of the airline. “By introducing young girls to the exciting world of technology, I truly believe more women will be encouraged to pursue it later in life. I’m a testament to that,” she shared. “Growing up, my father taught me how to fix my own bike tire and put together furniture. This sparked my passion for technical fields, leading me to pursue a technical degree and eventually secure my position at KLM. Every day, I’m still amazed by the incredible innovations technology brings to our work.”
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