Grants for young women to explore aviation careers

20 December 2025

Lisa YoungCornwall

News image — TECwomen CIC said the funding would help it deliver its TECgirls Reach for the Sky festival and Take Flight education programme

Bull and Wolf A person wearing a white coat has a flaming rocket contained in an upside down bottle on their back. Their arms are stretched out in front of them. There is a banner behind them which is out of focus but reads WONDERSTRUCK. — TECwomen CIC said the funding would help it deliver its TECgirls Reach for the Sky festival and Take Flight education programme

A project which helps inspire girls and young women to develop a career in aviation, aerospace and engineering has been given a government grant of nearly £100,000.

TECwomen CIC said the funding would help it deliver its TECgirls Reach for the Sky festival and Take Flight education programme.

Two other projects in Cornwall were awarded funding from the government's £750,000 Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund designed to inspire young people to explore careers in aviation.

Aerobility was given £60,589 to help it provide pathways in to aviation and aerospace for disabled people and the Jon Egging Trust was awarded £40,122 for its aviation and aerospace careers roadshows.

Bull and Wolf A blonde woman in a flight suit with epaulettes is standing in front of a plane. She is addressing young women who have their backs to the camera. She is holding up her right hand on a slant and it looks like she's showing the flight of a plane. — The government said aviation was a "rapidly growing" sector

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Director of TECwomen CIC, Caitlin Gould, said: "Our Take Flight programme has been building year on year and with this support we will continue to grow our reach and inspire more young women across rural and coastal locations.

"Young women are crying out for opportunities, especially programmes designed specifically to support them and help them thrive," she added.

The government said aviation was a "rapidly growing" sector following the approved expansion plans for Gatwick and Luton airports and the push for a third runway at Heathrow.

Aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister Keir Mather said the government fund was "helping to break down barriers to opportunity and encouraging the next generation to aim high".

"Alongside securing the future of the aviation industry, this is about ensuring young people from all backgrounds can see and learn about the varied and often highly skilled jobs and future opportunities," he added.

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