Young people from underrepresented groups will now have greater opportunities to pursue careers in aviation, thanks to new government funding for the ‘Reach for the Sky’ skills and outreach programme.

UK Aviation Minister Mike Kane announced the latest round of funding on July 26, aiming to support young individuals aged 4-18 who might otherwise lack the chance to explore aviation careers.

Now in its third year, the Reach for the Sky programme allows organisations to apply for a share of £750,000. The funding will support outreach initiatives, including events, taster days, mentorship schemes, and educational projects in collaboration with schools and universities.

This effort aligns with the UK government’s commitment to securing the aviation sector’s future and ensuring equitable opportunities for all young people.

Aviation Minister Mike Kane said:  “Our aviation industry is one of the best in the world and it’s the talented people within it that makes it so successful – the primary purpose of leadership is to create new leaders.

“Having a diverse workforce that can effectively address future challenges – from growing passenger demand to decarbonisation – is crucial and our Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund is inspiring the next generation to be part of this ever-growing travel sector.”

Making the industry more inclusive

The aviation industry faces several challenges, including limited access to further education, financial barriers, and a lack of exposure to career pathways.

Currently, only 5% of pilots are women, black youth have fewer aviation opportunities compared to their white peers, and a significant proportion of airline staff are concentrated in London and the South West.

To address these issues, both government and industry stakeholders are working together to make the industry more inclusive.

DfT support

The Reach for the Sky programme introduces innovative solutions and perspectives, with the new funding adding to the £1.5 million already invested. Previous Department for Transport (DfT)-funded initiatives have benefited over 100,000 young people, introducing them to aviation careers.

Previous recipients of DfT-funded schemes include 18-year-old aspiring pilot Joshua Merchan-Nicholls from North London. Since 2021, he has been tirelessly working towards a career as a commercial pilot – a dream he’s had since he was seven years old – and was recently awarded a gliding scholarship from the Air League as part of the DfT-funded ‘Soaring to Success’ programme.

The Air League, aimed at breaking down barriers into the aviation industry, offers a range of scholarships, volunteering programmes and events for people of all backgrounds, and has recently celebrated its 12,000th recipient.  Not only is Joshua hoping to start a pilot training course, but he has also set his heart on helping young people from similar backgrounds achieve rewarding careers in aviation.

As the aviation industry evolves with technological advancements, decarbonization efforts, and enhanced passenger experiences, creating more inclusive and accessible career pathways is essential for its ongoing success.

Applications for the Reach for the Sky funding are open until September, with decisions to be made by a joint panel from the DfT and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which administers the fund on behalf of the DfT.

Merchan-Nicholls said: “I was seven when I first imagined myself as a pilot and I’ve followed this dream ever since. Thanks to the Air League, I received a gliding scholarship in 2022, which gave me my first experience of solo flying and made me even more enthusiastic.

“I’m grateful that these organisations exist because they open opportunities for people like me who always wanted to fly and they show the possibility of a career to people who hadn’t considered it before. It’s great that the Government is supporting young people like this.”

Claire MacAleese, chair of the Air League, said: “For 115 years the Air League has been inspiring the aviators of tomorrow. The Department for Transport’s Reach for the Sky programme is an important part of keeping that momentum going.

“Reach for the Sky has been pivotal to our Soaring to Success programme over the past two years and more than 12,000 state school students have engaged in learning about a career in aviation and our flying days as a result.”

As the aviation industry evolves with technological advancements, decarbonisation efforts, and enhanced passenger experiences, creating more inclusive and accessible career pathways is essential for its ongoing success.

Applications for the Reach for the Sky funding are open until September, with decisions to be made by a joint panel from the DfT and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which administers the fund on behalf of the DfT.

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