Cornwall aviation festival aimed at attracting girls into the industry

An aviation and space festival will be held in Cornwall to encourage girls to work in the industry.

The event, called Reach for the Sky, is run by TECgirls, a Truro-based social interest company that aims to inspire young girls to explore technology, engineering and the creative industries.

The festival will take place on June 22, 2024 at Europe’s largest naval base, RNAS Culdrose in Helston.

Reach for the Sky strives to highlight the opportunities that lie within the aviation industry, encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams.

There is a noticeable gender imbalance in the industry’s workforce, with women making up less than 6 per cent of pilots and less than 10 per cent of aircraft engineers in the UK.

Boeing projections suggest that 558,000 commercial pilots will be needed by 2034 to keep up with the industry’s growth.

This demand includes engineers, air traffic controllers and other positions.

To ensure the continued development of aviation and space, the representation of women in this sector must be significantly improved.

A 2022 study by the Women in Aviation Advisory Council found that childhood exposure to the aviation industry positively influenced the decision to pursue an aviation career for 54% of respondents.

That’s why the goal of the Reach for the Sky project is to provide early exposure, empower girls with experiences in aviation and space, and inspire them to follow their dreams.

Festival attendees can look forward to meeting female pilots and seeing impressive aircraft such as the F22 jet.

In addition, the event gives you the opportunity to delve into engineering, launch rockets, build a space village and interact with VR welding machines.

Attendees can also watch live science demonstrations and be inspired by female role models in the industry.

Caitlin Gould, director of TECgirls, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing this unique event to Cornwall.

“Through the Reach for the Sky festival, we hope to empower young girls to explore the exciting and diverse career paths available to them in this industry.”

Children’s activities are free and lunch is included, while adult tickets cost £10 each.