Cornwall’s First Aviation Festival for Girls Aims to Shatter Gender Barriers in Aerospace

To address the gender disparity in the aviation and aerospace industries, TECgirls, a Truro-based community interest company, has announced the launch of “Reach for the Sky”, Cornwall’s first aviation and aerospace festival for girls.

Scheduled for June 22, 2024, this event will be held at RNAS Culdrose in Helston, Europe’s largest Navy base.

The Gender Imbalance in Aviation

Despite significant advancements in gender equality, the aerospace sector remains overwhelmingly male-dominated. Recent data from UK Research and Innovation reveals that less than 6% of UK pilots and fewer than 10% of aviation engineers are female. This disparity is even more pronounced in Cornwall, where fewer than 5% of girls study Engineering, ICT, and Design Technology subjects at GCSE and A levels, according to Cornwall Council.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Research conducted by Women in Aviation highlights the importance of early exposure to the industry, with 54% of women surveyed citing childhood experiences as pivotal in their career choices. Reach for the Sky aims to provide just such an experience, offering young girls an immersive glimpse into the world of aviation and aerospace.

A Day of Exciting Activities

The festival promises a rich array of activities designed to spark interest and enthusiasm. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to see impressive aircraft up close, including an F22 jet, and interact with female pilots. Beyond aviation, the event will feature engineering workshops, rocket launches, space village constructions, and VR welding machines. Live science shows and talks by female role models in the industry will further inspire the young participants.

Empowering Cornwall’s Girls

Caitlin Gould, Director of TECgirls, expressed her excitement about the festival. “We are absolutely thrilled to be launching this unique event to Cornwall. Through Reach for the Sky, we hope to empower young girls to explore the exciting and diverse career paths available to them within this industry. We are also keen to show girls that they do not need to leave Cornwall to chase their dreams, and that there are countless incredible opportunities right here in the county.”

Event Details

Reach for the Sky promises to be a fun-filled and inspiring day for all families. Children can attend the event for free, with lunch included, while adult tickets are priced at £10 each. For more information and to register for the event, visit www.tecgirls.co.uk/reach-for-the-sky-festival.

This festival represents a significant step towards closing the gender gap in the aerospace industry, offering young girls in Cornwall the chance to envision and pursue a future in aviation and engineering.