Government boosts aviation access with New fund for disadvantaged youth
A new £750,000 fund has been launched in Liverpool to help young people from all backgrounds take off in aviation careers.
Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are being given a clearer route into aviation careers — thanks to a new £750,000 funding boost from the government.
The latest round of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund is now open, aiming to inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals. The scheme supports outreach programmes that break down barriers to the industry — including financial pressures, lack of access to education, and limited exposure to career options.
“This is exactly what this Government is all about – breaking down barriers to opportunity,” said Aviation Minister Mike Kane, who launched the fund during a visit to a youth centre in Liverpool.
The fund has already delivered £2.5 million to 40 organisations, reaching over 100,000 young people across the UK. This latest round brings the total investment to over £3 million.
Organisations can now apply to run career events, mentorship schemes, and educational programmes aimed at young people who may not have considered aviation as a career path — including those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
“This funding will enable organisations like The King’s Trust to support disadvantaged kids into careers in aviation,” said Minister Kane.
“It also delivers on our promise to help the sector grow, by delivering the pilots, engineers and technicians of the future.”
One young person already benefitting is James, 24, from Bath, who struggled with mental health and left school without qualifications. After joining a King’s Trust aviation programme, he’s now preparing to study Science, Engineering and Maths at university.
“Before the programme I felt lost,” James said. “It helped me realise working in the industry is possible and inspired me to pursue my dream.”
Applications for the fund are open until Friday 12 September 2025, with successful bids helping to support the UK’s £20 billion air transport and aerospace sector, which employs around 240,000 people.