Grant Awarded to Inspire Young Aviators in Merseyside

4wardFutures is delighted to have been awarded grant funding by the Civil Aviation Authority’s ‘Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund 2024’. This grant shall fund new outreach initiative, the Merseyside Aviation and Aerospace (MAA) project, which shall introduce primary school students to the exciting world of aviation and aerospace.

 Building on the successful What Are Things Made Of? (WATMO) model, MAA will engage around 90 students from three primary schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of Merseyside. The project will bring aviation professionals into classrooms to inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aerospace innovators. Over four weeks, students will take part in hands-on workshops, live webinars with industry professionals, and creative projects showcasing their understanding of aviation and its plethora of career possibilities.

 Through interactive sessions, MAA aims to broaden young learners’ horizons by providing relatable role models and demonstrating the diverse career paths available in aviation—including both STEM and non-STEM roles. The students' artwork will be featured in a bespoke virtual gallery, allowing their families and schools to continue engaging with the project long after it ends.

 4wardFutures operates on the principle that “you can’t be what you can’t see”, ensuring that young people—regardless of background—can see a future for themselves in aviation. By making the industry more accessible and relatable, MAA hopes to spark curiosity and open doors to new career aspirations.

 The project will be evaluated through student feedback and creative outputs, measuring how exposure to aviation professionals influences their interest and self-perception as future industry professionals.

 With this exciting initiative now funded, MAA is set to take off, giving young minds in Merseyside a front-row seat to the possibilities of the aviation and aerospace sectors.

Young aviators encouraged to Reach for the Sky in skills and outreach programme - GOV.UK