Reach for the Skies Challenge Fund 2023

Runway to a brighter future as government invests in next generation of aviators

Funding to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to work in aviation and support the industry to address sustainability and new technologies.

  • government commits £750,000 to inspire future generations of aviators
  • funding will grow the economy by boosting employment and ensuring that the aviation industry has a workforce fit for the future
  • part of the Generation Aviation initiative, a government-industry collaboration aiming to support the aviation industry to address issues like sustainability and new technologies

Aviation Minister Baroness Vere has announced £750,000 of additional government funding to encourage young people to consider a career in aviation during a visit to Norwich Airport today.

The funding is part of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, first announced in 2022, and is designed to break down barriers for those who have previously struggled to get a foothold in the aviation industry. It targets those schemes which provide an entry point for people who are from underprivileged backgrounds or under-represented groups, building on our mission to spread opportunity and help people of all ages and groups into work.

The scheme is one strand of the government’s Generation Aviation initiative, which aims to support the industry by delivering sustainable aviation and growing the economy.

By making sure the workforce is open to people of all backgrounds, the initiative will bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table, enabling the industry to adapt and thrive.

Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said:

I want the aviation sector to be an inclusive and inviting one, and I am committed to ensuring that young people have opportunities to pursue rewarding careers in this sector.

This investment is crucial to help make the UK the best place in the world for aviation and grow the economy, with a diverse workforce that can effectively address challenges today and in the future.

The government is dedicated to working with the industry to ensure that jobs in the aviation sector are accessible to everyone.

Closing Date for Applications: 29 September 2023

From the Department for Transport

23 June 2023