By KLTV Newsdesk – 

Government fund expands to over £3 million, opening doors to jobs in the UK’s £20bn aerospace sector

Young people from socio-economically challenged backgrounds are being given new opportunities to take off in the aviation industry, thanks to an extra £750,000 of funding announced by the Government.

The latest investment brings the total Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund to over £3 million, helping aspiring pilots, engineers and aviation professionals overcome barriers and build careers in one of the UK’s most dynamic industries.

Organisations can now apply for the fourth round of the Challenge Fund, aimed at delivering outreach programmes for underrepresented young people, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds who may not have previously considered a future in aviation.

Aviation Minister Mike Kane said: “This is exactly what this Government is all about – breaking down barriers to opportunity so that everyone, no matter their background, has a decent shot at getting a good career and building a good life.

“This funding will enable organisations like The King’s Trust to reach out to disadvantaged kids and support them into careers in aviation.

“It also delivers on our promise to help the sector grow, by delivering the pilots, engineers and technicians of the future, boosting jobs and growth across the country as part of the Plan for Change.”

Building a workforce for the future

Since its launch, the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund has awarded £2.5 million to 40 organisations, reaching over 100,000 young people across the country.

The fund supports a wide range of initiatives, including:

• Career events and school outreach

• Mentoring programmes

• Interactive STEM demonstrations

• Higher education partnerships

It forms part of the Government’s wider commitment to grow the aviation workforce and maintain the long-term health of a sector that contributes £20 billion to the UK economy and supports 240,000 jobs.

Real-life impact: James’s journey

One young person who has benefited from the programme is James, 24, from Bath, who faced challenges with mental health and left school without qualifications.

After taking part in The King’s Trust’s ‘Get Ready with Aviation’ programme, James found a renewed sense of direction. He is now preparing to study Science, Engineering and Maths at Bristol University this September.

James said: “Before the programme, I felt lost and uncertain about my future. I’d always been interested in space, but didn’t know where to start or what my options were. It felt out of reach.

“The programme helped me realise working in the industry is possible and inspired me to apply for university and pursue my dream.”

Industry partners committed to change

The latest round of funding will be overseen by a joint panel from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The aim is to deliver long-term, inclusive growth in an industry critical to the UK’s future.

Sophie Jones, STEM Sponsor at the CAA, said: “As the aviation regulator, we are dedicated to inspiring the next generation who will take the sector forward.

“The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund helps reach people making the first step.

“By reaching and empowering diverse communities and creating a lasting impact, we are inspiring young people across the UK to explore exciting careers in aviation.”

Julia Beaumont, Chief Technology and Programmes Officer at The King’s Trust, added: “During the past two years, this funding has been vital in raising awareness of the job opportunities available for young people in the aviation industry, alongside equipping them with the confidence and skills to pursue these roles.

“Supporting this generation to overcome the barriers they face in accessing these opportunities is crucial, not only benefiting them, but their local communities and economy.”

Jeni Trice, CEO of Get with the Program, said: “We’re already so pleased by the fantastic impact of our 2024 Reach for the Sky grant, which is helping us inspire 18,000 children aged 5–8 to become the aerospace tech innovators of the future.

“Through this grant funding, we’ve been able to deliver initiatives, such as our Moon Landing Coding Adventure, which exposes children to exciting STEM careers in aerospace.”

Apply now

Applications for the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund are open until Friday, 12 September 2025. More information can be found through the Department for Transport or the Civil Aviation Authority.