In one of his first official engagements as the new UK Aviation Minister, Mike Kane MP launched the latest round of funding for the Government’s Reach for the Sky programme at the Farmborough International Air Show on 26 July.
The Reach for the Sky skills and outreach programme serves as a way for young people aged 4-18 from under-represented groups that may not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation, to do so. Now in its third year, the relaunched programme enables organisations to apply for a share of £750,000 that will help them deliver outreach programmes which will provide events, taster days, mentorship schemes and educational initiatives with schools and universities – building on the government’s promise to secure the long-term future of aviation and give young people the opportunities they deserve.
Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said: “Our aviation industry is one of the best in the world and it’s the talented people within it that makes it so successful – the primary purpose of leadership is to create new leaders.
“Having a diverse workforce that can effectively address future challenges – from growing passenger demand to decarbonisation – is crucial and our Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund is inspiring the next generation to be part of this ever-growing travel sector.”
The fund’s administrators add that several barriers hinder people from joining the aviation industry – including limited access to further education, financial constraints, and lack of exposure to career pathways.
Outreach programmes supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) have already helped over 100,000 young people discover a career in aviation.
Previous recipients of DfT-funded schemes include 18-year-old aspiring pilot Joshua Merchan-Nicholls from Finchley, North London. Since 2021, he has been tirelessly working towards a career as a commercial pilot – a dream he’s had since he was seven years old – and was recently awarded a gliding scholarship from the Air League as part of the DfT-funded Soaring to Success programme.
Not only is Joshua hoping to start a pilot training course, but he has also set his heart on helping young people from similar backgrounds achieve rewarding careers in aviation. He said: “I was seven when I first imagined myself as a pilot and I’ve followed this dream ever since. Thanks to the Air League, I received a gliding scholarship in 2022, which gave me my first experience of solo flying and made me even more enthusiastic!
“I’m grateful that these organisations exist because they open opportunities for people like me who always wanted to fly and they show the possibility of a career to people who hadn’t considered it before. It’s great that the government is supporting young people like this.”
