Following a successful roll out to school kids in late 2025 via the Level Trust, easyJet has expanded its crew uniform donation scheme, aiming to provide jobseekers with smart, professional clothing for interviews, work, and everyday use.
According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released this week, unemployment has risen sharply by 5.2%, the highest level in nearly five years, leaving almost two million people aged 16 and above out of work. And yet, there are an estimated 734,000 vacancies in the UK currently. New research from easyJet shows a lack of access to smart work wear is a significant factor in creating this disparity, one that is often overlooked but in reality is preventing many people from seeking and securing employment opportunities.
This is why easyJet is aiming to repurpose thousands of garments including trousers, shirts, jumpers, blazers and coats, and now turning its focus to support jobseekers struggling with the high cost of smart work wear.
Evidencing this situation, seven in ten respondents (71%) said the high expense of smart work wear prevents them from purchasing suitable attire for interviews and work life. As a result, 57% feel disadvantaged in the jobs market due to a lack of access to appropriate business wear, with nearly half (46%) admitting concern about their appearance has negatively affected their interview performance, leading to negative outcomes.
Additionally, over four in five people (83%) agree that access to suitable business attire would make it easier to present confidently at interviews, while almost nine in ten (89%) believing that having appropriate business wear boosts their chances of securing a job.
Revealing the huge demand there is for repurposed business clothing and the extent of the problem, 79% said theyd be open to wearing second hand business clothing if in good condition and offered for free.
In an effort to address this disparity, easyJet will be working with charities across the UK in areas nearby key airports, starting with Luton-based charity NOAH Enterprise, which alone supported over 1,000 individuals in 2025.
Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability at easyJet, said:
This initiative began with a simple goal: to reduce waste by diverting our uniforms from landfill and repurpose as many items as we could for reuse. What we didnt anticipate was the strong demand for these items, the diverse ways theyd be used and the impact they can have, including increasing peoples chances of securing jobs.
Recent unemployment figures reveal a growing disparity that exists across the UK and, while just one of many factors, our research shows that a lack of access to smart work wear can present a significant barrier to people seeking and securing employment. While this clearly is just one aspect of a much bigger systemic challenge, weve seen first-hand the impact that a small donation such as a pair of trousers or a coat can have and the vital work charities like NOAH do for so many individuals in local communities across the country.
Jo Anderson, CEO of Noah Enterprise quoted:
For over 30 years, NOAH has been at the heart of the Luton community, providing vital suppor