We’re sparking curiosity about aviation through hands-on events and immersive activities, linking young people with industry professionals to explore a range of careers.
As aviation contributes £20bn to the UK economy and supports thousands of jobs – the Department for Transport is funding our project to encourage young people into a career in aviation – and provide the workforce for the future.
We started our Inspiring Aviation programme in 2020. This work continues in earnest in 2025 to:
- Inspire the next generation of aviation professionals
- Reach people who wouldn’t otherwise know about the opportunities available in aviation
- Have a broad impact by engaging as many young people as possible
In 2024 we reached over 70,000 children in primary and secondary schools across England. This year we’re organising in-person and virtual events to reach a whole new audience of kids – inspiring them with some awesome volunteers from the aviation industry that bring the sector to life.
“The presenters were excellent and engaging. The interactive aspect was well thought out and appropriate.” – Teacher, Live Virtual Event
Through these in-person and virtual activities, volunteers will share their inspirational career stories and spark the imaginations of young people. This increases their knowledge of the world of work and helps them understand the skills and qualifications needed to work in aviation.
As in previous years we’re keen to focus on underprivileged and under-represented groups, so we can break that invisible ‘glass ceiling’ and open up a whole world of possibilities for young people. The same is true of inspiring females into what are often considered male dominated roles – which our female pilots do brilliantly.
We’re organising events ourselves, which schools across the country can join – especially the virtual events, the more the merrier!
We also offer schools the ability to use our cutting-edge platform to access our database of aviation volunteers and arrange their own inspiring event. Many of our team are ex-teachers, so can help with resources and guidance for teachers to organise their own sessions.
I work in aviation and I’d like to get involved as a volunteer
By sharing your aviation career story, you can have a significant impact on the young people you speak with and the future of the aviation industry. You’ll have access to Inspiring the Future volunteer resources, and teachers will be able to invite you to participate in their activities.
“They were given an understanding of the variation in roles within aviation, not just pilots.” – Volunteer, aviation industry
We’re looking for everyone from meteorologists and travel agents to air traffic controllers, marketing managers, engineers, pilots and reservation agents, to show young people the range of opportunities available. If you can give an hour of your time in 2025 that would be fantastic.
I’m an employer in the aviation sector and want my organisation to get involved
There are lots of ways for employers to get involved, from supporting your employees to volunteer to hosting events, being featured in our video resources for schools or joining our teacher training sessions to educate schools on the sector and your organisation.
Please complete the expression of interest form if you’d like to discuss how you can get involved.
I work in a school and our students would benefit from Inspiring Aviation
Your pupils will learn about a huge array of jobs they may never have considered when you get involved in Inspiring Aviation.
You can join our virtual events that are planned across the year.
Or you can invite volunteers from the industry to take part in your own activities either at your school or virtually.
Whichever you choose, your students can learn about necessary skills, different career paths and the school subjects that are important for future opportunities. There will also be the opportunity for your school to access new teaching resources and training sessions.
Please complete the expression of interest form if you’d like to get involved.
About Reach for the Sky
‘Reach for the Sky’ is the UK government’s aviation skills programme aimed at inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals whilst striving to make aviation diverse, inclusive and accessible to all. The programme partners with industry, educators and organisations to raise the profile of aviation, create new and improved career pathways, develop enhanced outreach activities, and make training more financially accessible.
