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Money will deliverprojectswhichinspirethe next generation of
pilots, aviation engineers and air traffic controllers
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Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund has already inspired more
than a million people, backing projects that open
up aviation careers to young people from
all backgrounds, helping break down barriers to
opportunity and build Britain's future workforce
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funding unveiled as Farnborough
Airshow showcased the best of UK aviation, driving
jobs and investment last week
Thousands more young people will be encouraged to consider
careers in aviation, as organisations across the
UK are today (29 July 2026) invited
to apply for a share of £750,000 through the latest
round of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund.
Over the last 4 years, the fund has inspired over
1 million young people and invested more than £3 million in 46
organisations, to inspire 16+ year-olds from
disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to explore
careers, including piloting, engineering, aircraft maintenance,
aerospace and aviation technologies.
In its fifth year, grants 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 may never have previously
considered.
The investment comes following an estimated 100,000 exhibitors
attending Farnborough International Airshow in the South
East last week driving investment in UK aviation
and sealing the deals that will bring highly-skilled jobs to
communities across the country.
Aviation Minister, , said:
Aviation careers should be open to every young person with
the ambition and talent to succeed, regardless
of background.
We've delivered more than £3 million to help over a million
young Brits see aviation as a career they can be part of whether
that be as a pilot, an engineer, an air traffic controller or a
ground handler.
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.
Young people from lower working-class backgrounds
are more likely
to be NEET (not
in education, employment or training) so the
fund is vital to help tackle barriers that can prevent
young people from entering the industry. This includes
providing access to industry networks, removing financial
constraints, and improving awareness of the careers
available.
Skills England
estimates that demand
across sectors, including transport and
construction will grow by 24% over the next decade,
requiring up to 1.8
million additional skilled workers, and underlining
the importance of encouraging more young people
into highly-skilled jobs that drive economic
growth.
UK airports
handled a record 302 million passengers in 2025, with demand
forecast to rise to around 465 million passengers a year by 2050
the next generation will play
a vital role in keeping the UK's aviation
sector growing.
Previous recipients of Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund have
delivered innovative projects to inspire young people from every
background to consider careers in aviation.
Successful initiatives include Fantasy Wings, which
uses immersive technology and interactive experiences
to introduce young people to the wide range
of opportunities available across the aviation and
aerospace sectors.
Other projects have delivered hands-on STEM workshops,
mentoring programmes, careers events,
coding activities and employability support, helping
thousands of young people build the
skills, confidence and ambition to pursue careers in
the industry.
Applications will be assessed by a joint panel from the
Department for Transport and the UK Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA), which
administers the fund on the department's behalf.
Sophie , Head of Customer Experience
and STEM Sponsor
at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said:
At the Civil Aviation Authority, we remain committed to
enabling the next generation, regardless of background, to shape
the future of the aerospace sector.
The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund plays a vital role in
supporting organisations that inspire young people to explore
opportunities across the sector. By raising awareness,
building confidence and widening access to
opportunities, these initiatives help break down barriers and
empower more young people to pursue careers in aviation and
aerospace.
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.
