London Luton Airport awarded £90,000 grant to expand Classroom to Careers education programme

London Luton Airport (LLA) has strengthened its commitment to local skills development and education through a significant grant from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The £90,000 grant, awarded through the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, will enhance LLA’s expanding ‘Classroom to Careers’ education programme. The initiative includes environmental education, essential skills workshops, apprenticeships, university partnerships, and work experience placements.

The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund is a joint initiative between the DfT and the CAA, designed to support community outreach projects that inspire the next generation of aviation professionals and create opportunities for groups currently underrepresented in the sector.

Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer of London Luton Airport, commented: “The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund plays an important part in breaking down barriers and supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds looking to pursue a career in aviation. This funding from the DfT and CAA will shape the next exciting phase of London Luton Airport’s educational outreach activity and will significantly bolster the existing work we’re doing to inspire the next generation of aviation talent, particularly for those currently underrepresented in our industry.”

Sophie Jones, Head of Customer Experience and STEM Sponsor at the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We are proud to support London Luton Airport’s outreach programme through the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund. This initiative offers young people meaningful opportunities to explore the aviation and aerospace sector, with a particular focus on decarbonisation and the future use of hydrogen, both critical areas that will shape the industry’s evolution and help address an emerging skills gap.”

The fund supports outreach programmes that inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace, ensuring the UK remains a leader in innovation and sustainable development.

Building on its long-standing partnership with Cranfield University, LLA will work alongside Cranfield’s National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC) to create unique and engaging learning opportunities supported by the new funding.

Launched in 2024, LLA’s Classroom to Careers programme aims to reach 2,000 individuals over three years, offering practical education and skills development opportunities for local students. The programme aligns with Luton Council’s Luton 2040 vision of creating a healthy, fair, and sustainable town where everyone can thrive.

Key initiatives under Classroom to Careers include an environmental education programme delivered in partnership with local charity Forest of Marston Vale. Relaunching this month, it provides local primary school children with hands-on opportunities to learn about the environment and biodiversity. Another element, the Essential Skills Workshops, helps young people in local communities develop transferable skills and explore career opportunities at the airport. So far, these workshops have engaged over 100 pupils across seven local secondary schools.

Earlier this year, LLA also signed the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge, pioneered by the National Literacy Trust, one of the airport’s charity partners. The pledge outlines how organisations can take a leading role in improving literacy across the UK, placing it at the heart of responsible business and supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain vital literacy skills.

Further information about the Classroom to Careers programme can be found in London Luton Airport’s 2024 Sustainability Report.

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