Iberia Launches Sixth Edition of its Cadet Program: Technical Excellence and Shared Financing
Iberia has launched the sixth edition of its Iberia Cadetes program, an initiative designed to recruit, train, and finance the next generation of air transport pilots. Candidates can submit their applications until March 6th through the company’s employment website.
The program is conducted in partnership with FTEJerez (Flight Training Europe), one of the most prestigious flight training organizations in the industry. This collaboration provides an integrated syllabus that aligns technical training with the operational standards of a network airline.
The initiative serves a dual purpose: promoting the piloting profession and ensuring the recruitment of highly qualified profiles in a context where the sector increasingly demands specialized talent.
A Structured Program for Aspirants Without Prior Experience
The Iberia Cadetes program is aimed at young individuals without prior experience as pilots who demonstrate a strong vocation, technical aptitude, and the readiness to take on a demanding and strategic profession for the future of air transport.
The program’s design combines:
- A solid academic foundation.
- Technical excellence.
- Operational standards aligned with the airline.
- Close supervision throughout the entire training process.
The goal is to identify and train the profiles with the highest potential to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and subsequently perform in the company’s real professional environment.
Academic and Technical Requirements: The Entry Filter
To participate in the selection process, candidates must meet a set of clearly defined minimum conditions:
- Possess a university degree, with the final thesis (TFG) completed at the time of application.
- Hold European nationality or a permanent work permit in Spain.
- Have no criminal record.
- Accredit a minimum English level of B2.
- For non-Spanish speakers, a C2 level of Spanish is required.
- Must not have previously sat for ATPL exams.
- Meet the height requirements: a minimum of 157 cm and a maximum of 191 cm.
Financing Model: Iberia Covers Approximately 50% of the Cost
One of the pillars of the program is its economic support scheme. Iberia finances approximately 50% of the training costs, interest-free, facilitating access to a career that traditionally requires a significant investment.
In addition to financial backing, the company provides continuous monitoring of the cadets’ performance to ensure the highest standards of technical and operational readiness.
A Direct Bridge to the Iberia Group Job Market
Upon completion of the training in Jerez—and provided that the requirements established in the program’s legal terms are met—Iberia commits to facilitating the cadets’ entry into the job market through the Iberia Group airlines.
This step allows new pilots to:
- Launch their professional careers within the group’s environment.
- Begin the repayment of the financial contribution made by the company for their studies.
This creates a structured pathway that connects training, job placement, and professional development within the corporate ecosystem.
Strategic Vision: Youth Talent and Sector Growth
According to Ramiro Sequeira, Iberia’s Production Director, the program reinforces the company’s commitment to young talent and the technical excellence required by its operations. In a scenario where the sector will increasingly need highly qualified professionals, the airline is betting on a rigorous itinerary aligned with its standards.
Sequeira emphasizes that the experience and training solvency of FTEJerez ensure that future pilots join with the preparation, attitude, and competencies necessary to face the present and future challenges of aviation.
For his part, Oscar Sordo, CEO of FTEJerez, highlights that the continuity of the program demonstrates a shared commitment to developing aeronautical talent. In his view, this new edition consolidates the collaboration between both organizations at a time of growth in commercial aviation, opening opportunities for those aspiring to lead the sector in the coming years.
The sixth edition of the Iberia Cadetes program confirms a sustained strategy for recruiting and developing in-house talent. It is not just about training pilots, but about integrating the company’s cultural, technical, and operational standards from the very beginning.
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