UK government launches £750,000 aviation career fund for diverse youth

The UK government has opened a new round of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, offering £750,000 to organisations that run outreach, mentoring and career‑event programmes for 16‑plus‑year‑olds from disadvantaged and under‑represented backgrounds. The fund, now in its fifth year, builds on four years of investment that reached more than one million young people and allocated over £3 million to 46 charities and schools to promote careers as pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and other aviation roles.

The latest funding call was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, which attracted an estimated 100,000 exhibitors and highlighted the sector’s growth plans. Aviation Minister Keir Mather said the support will help tackle barriers for lower‑working‑class youth, provide industry networks and ensure the UK has the skilled workforce needed for a booming aviation sector.