£750,000 fund to get kids into aviation

MCRJourno

The UK government has announced a £750,000 fund to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue careers in aviation.

The latest round of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund brings total investment to more than £3 million.

Since launching, the fund has supported over 40 organisations and reached more than 100,000 young people nationwide.

Organisations can now apply to deliver outreach programmes including career events, mentorships, and educational initiatives targeting underrepresented groups.

The goal is to break down barriers such as lack of exposure, financial constraints, and limited access to education.

This funding supports the £20 billion air transport and aerospace sector which employs around 240,000 people in the UK.

Aviation Minister Mike Kane launched the new funding during a visit to a youth workshop run by The King’s Trust in Liverpool.

Young adults aged 16 to 30 met with aviation professionals, explored local job opportunities, and took part in employability sessions.

Kane said: "We’re helping kids from tough backgrounds into careers in aviation, while delivering growth for the industry."

Aspiring aerospace engineer James, 24, from Bath, said the programme changed his life.

Struggling with mental health and low confidence, he had left school without qualifications, but after joining a King’s Trust aviation programme, he applied to university and begins a science degree this September.

"I felt lost" he said. "The programme helped me see a future I didn’t think was possible."

The fund is open for applications until 12th September and will be reviewed by a panel from the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority.