Aviation mentors

In what he calls a “pioneering initiative” to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, has announced the appointment of ten aviation ambassadors.

Over the next two years, the ambassadors will serve as mentors and advocates, attending schools, mentoring events and workshops to showcase their experience and encourage young people to use their skills in aviation. As well as delivering their own bespoke outreach activities to underrepresented groups, the ambassadors will also offer advice on where pathways into aviation can be created or improved – making it easier for young people to join the sector.

Organisations meeting the criteria for the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund were able to apply for a share of £750,000, with funding decisions agreed by a joint panel of the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – which administers the fund on DfT’s behalf.

The winners are a mixed bag and include Alice Goodwin, a design and development engineer at Virgin Atlantic with a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and ambitions to become a chartered engineer. With a unique role in avionics and extensive outreach experience, she is a mentor to young people at four aviation charities supporting people of colour to take up aviation careers.

London City Airport is another recipient.  Michael Spiers, Chief People Officer at the airport, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the DfT’s and CAA’s Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund to help inspire the next generation of aviators. London City Airport delivers a range of skills and education initiatives – such as our annual STEM in Aviation Day event – to inspire hundreds of students across east London and this funding will help build on this important work in 2024”.

Mariya Tarabanovska, founder of Flight Crowd, said: “We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Propel into Future Flight programme to new horizons, thanks to the generous support from the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund for the second consecutive year.

“The enthusiasm and engagement we’ve witnessed from communities across the UK during our boot camps have been truly inspiring. Empowering young minds with the skills and knowledge essential for shaping the future of aviation remains at the core of our mission. And with this continued funding, we are excited to reach even more locations and diverse backgrounds”.

www.gov.uk/government/groups/generation-aviation-group

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