The government is allocating £750,000 to various projects, including one in Birmingham, aimed at inspiring young people to pursue careers in aviation.
The funding is part of the ‘Reach for the Sky’ initiative, which supports a wide range of activities designed to raise awareness of the diverse opportunities in the sector, from traditional roles to emerging technical careers.
This comes as the UK aviation industry braces for expansion, with major developments like the planned third runway at Heathrow and the expansion of Gatwick and Luton airports set to create thousands of new, highly skilled jobs.
Trying to encourage more girls into STEM careers
Among the projects benefiting from the funding is Tech, Engineering, Creative (TEC) Women, which will receive nearly £100,000 to host STEM career festivals in Cornwall aimed at encouraging more girls to explore the sector.
Another £50,000 will go to East London Advanced Technology Training (ELATT), which will run workshops and creative projects to inspire young people in underprivileged communities to consider aviation careers.
A £30,000 grant will support the Mason Foundation in Manchester, helping neurodivergent schoolchildren discover opportunities in aviation.
Fantasy Wings flight training centre in Birmingham
Meanwhile, Fantasy Wings, a programme focused on encouraging girls and ethnic minorities into aviation, will use the funding to offer interactive workshops and flight training in cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and London.
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said: “Reach for the Sky plays a vital role in inspiring young people from all backgrounds to aim high and pursue the many skilled opportunities that will support the growth of our aviation sector.”
The announcement follows the launch of a new cohort of Aviation Ambassadors and ongoing investments in sustainable aviation technologies, including the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, which aims to promote greener aviation and create more skilled jobs in the industry.
The funding reflects a broader effort to ensure that the next generation of aviators is ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving sector.
