LLA’s ‘Classroom to Careers’ Programme Reaches New Heights with £90,000 Education Grant

London Luton Airport (LLA) has received a significant boost for its education and skills development efforts through a £90,000 grant from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) via the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund.

 

This funding will accelerate the airport’s ‘Classroom to Careers’ initiative — a multi-layered programme launched in 2024 that provides pupils, students, and young people from underrepresented backgrounds with meaningful pathways into aviation. The programme encompasses:

• Environmental education

• Essential skills workshops

• Apprenticeships

• University partnerships

• Work experience opportunities

Alberto Martin, CEO of LLA, commented:

“The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund plays an important role in breaking down barriers for young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This grant will help us expand our outreach and ensure more young people can see aviation as an exciting and accessible career path.”

Sophie Jones, Head of Customer Experience and STEM Sponsor at the CAA, added:

“This initiative gives young people hands-on opportunities to explore aviation and aerospace, particularly in areas like decarbonisation and hydrogen — both vital to the future of the industry.”

Partnership with Cranfield University

LLA will strengthen its collaboration with Cranfield University, specifically its National Flying Laboratory Centre, to create immersive aviation learning experiences for students — powered by the newly awarded grant.

Local Impact & Literacy Advocacy

LLA aims to engage 2,000 individuals through ‘Classroom to Careers’ by 2027, supporting the Luton 2040 vision for a healthy, fair, and sustainable town.

Recent initiatives include:

• Environmental Education: Relaunched in partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale, the programme connects primary school pupils to biodiversity and sustainability themes.

• Essential Skills Workshops: Delivered to over 100 secondary school pupils so far this year, these sessions focus on real-world skills and aviation career insights.

• Literacy Advocacy: LLA has signed the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge, committing to raising literacy standards through its partnership with the National Literacy Trust.

LLA’s education efforts are also detailed in its 2024 Sustainability Report, further demonstrating the airport’s commitment to social value and inclusive growth.