A government-funded initiative is supporting programs aimed at inspiring girls and young women to pursue careers in the aviation industry. TECwomen CIC has been awarded nearly £100,000 to fund its TECgirls Reach for the Sky festival and Take Flight education programme, both focused on encouraging female participation in aviation, aerospace, and engineering fields.
This funding is part of the government's Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, which distributed £750,000 across several projects in Cornwall. Alongside TECwomen CIC, organizations like Aerobility and the Jon Egging Trust received funding to develop pathways for disabled individuals and to conduct aviation careers roadshows, respectively.
The UK government has emphasized the importance of expanding the aviation sector, citing ongoing airport expansion plans for Gatwick, Luton, and Heathrow as evidence of rapid industry growth. Minister Keir Mather highlighted the role of the fund in removing barriers and promoting the industry’s promising career opportunities to young people from diverse backgrounds.
TECwomen CIC’s director, Caitlin Gould, shared her optimism about the impact of the support, stating that it would help expand outreach and inspire more women in rural and coastal regions to enter aviation careers. The government’s initiatives aim to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals as the industry prepares for future expansion and technological advancements.
