Organisations across the UK are able to apply for a £750,000 fund encouraging young people to pursue careers in aviation, the Department of Transport confirmed last week.
The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund announcement comes as Skills England’s Annual Skills Report projects that priority industries will require around 1.8 million additional employees over the next decade.
Moreover, the Alan Milburn Interim Report estimates almost one million 16-to-24-year-olds are currently outside education, employment or training, reinforcing concerns about youth access to work.
Since its launch four years ago, the scheme has distributed more than £3 million to 46 organisations, with projects collectively reaching over one million young people.
The programme is designed to introduce people aged 16 and over, particularly those from underrepresented or disadvantaged communities to the range of career opportunities available across the aviation industry.
A Government spokesperson said: “The fund will continue to help organisations deliver outreach programmes, mentoring, careers events and interactive learning experiences that give young people the confidence, skills and knowledge to pursue careers they never may have previously considered.”
The announcement follows new data from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which showed that a record 302 million passengers travelled through UK airports in 2025.
Passenger numbers are forecast to rise to 465 million by 2050, further increasing demand for a skilled aviation workforce.
Aviation minister Keir Mather said: “With record passenger numbers last year and plans to grow our aviation sector across the UK, our funding will help bring in the skilled workforce of the future to drive economic growth.
“Aviation careers should be open to every young person with the ambition and talent to succeed, regardless of background.”
One organisation previously supported by the initiative is Fantasy Wings, an aviation programme whose mission is to provide Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and Women a platform to enter and excel in the Aviation industry or become commercial airline pilots through expert-led workshops, conferences, mentoring and real flight training.
According to the UK Government, applications to the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund are assessed by a joint panel from the Department of Transport and the CAA.
Sophie Jones, Head of Customer Experience and STEM Sponsor at the CAA added: “Through programmes like this, we can help build a more diverse and talented workforce, bringing fresh skills, perspectives and innovation to the future of aviation and aerospace.”
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