OPEN SKIES PATHWAYS
Virtual Career & Skills Programme
Virtual Activities
During the online part of our programme, young people will have the opportunity to join the following sessions:
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In-person Aviation Experience
Full Day Immersive Event
Based on application and participation in virtual programme, a small cohort of learners will experience Saxon Air’s Norwich facilities:
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT AVIATION CAN BE SHAPED BY ALL
Flight Crowd, in partnership with our colleagues from Saxon Air, are delighted to present the all new FREE to attend 'Open Skies Pathways' programme. This UK-wide careers and skills programme is designed to inspire and support young people on their journey into Aviation, Future Flight and Sustainable Transport careers - especially those who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities.
This programme is proudly funded by the ‘Reach for the Sky' Challenge fund organised by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
DETAILS
Open Skies Pathways is more than a one-off experience - it’s a journey. Open to young people aged 14–19 (up to 25 for those with SEND), the programme supports individuals from all backgrounds because we recognise that every path into Aviation is different and we’re here to make the Future of Flight accessible to all. Open Skies Pathways is a varied programme of immersive workshops, live Aviation experiences, and interactive career panels with accessible formats and adaptive resources tailored to appeal to different interests, abilities and learning styles.
Both Flight Crowd and Saxon Air, we are passionate about building an inclusive and diverse future of Aerospace. We know that to shape the future of mobility and transportation, our industry needs people with a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. Whether you are passionate about science, engineering, architecture, business, finance, psychology, art, or design, - we need everyone, so get involved, no prior experience needed!
"We are focusing on those who struggle to get into their dream career not because it's a 'nice thing to do'. It's the path myself and a lot of the Flight Crowd community have walked. It's our story too; and our backgrounds, challenges we've overcome and our learnings are what shaped us. And so Flight Crowd are here to help young people feel proud of who they are, where they've come from and help combine their interests, skills and abilities into an exciting career. We believe that the future of Aviation belongs to everyone and therefore should be shaped by everyone."
Mariya Tarabanovska, Founder of Flight Crowd
WHY OPEN SKIES PATHWAYS?
Our focus on those who face barriers accessing work experience, students from ethnic minority groups, young people with SEND and neurodiversity, first-generation and underrepresented students is deeply personal. Having arrived in the UK at 16 and built her career from scratch, Flight Crowd’s Founder, Mariya Tarabanovska, knows the challenges of navigating opportunity without role models or support.
Open Skies Pathways helps young people to:
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See themselves in Aviation careers
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Improve university, apprenticeships and job applications
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Gain real-world, practical Aviation experience and career advise
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Build confidence, skills, and networks gaining valuable insights
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Understand the full breadth of opportunities beyond traditional roles
Our programme ensures students’ voices are not only heard but valued, creating a more inclusive and accessible Aviation sector designed with them in mind. By equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and connections they need, Open Skies Pathways is here to create lasting impact beyond the scheme. All sessions are recorded and turned into digital learning resources and all workbooks and activities will remain available to participants to access and review at any point in their career on Flight Crowd's dedicated digital platform. We are here to see you succeed, on the programme and beyond!
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KEY DATES
PARTICIPATE
To express your interest in taking part, young people, parents, guardians, and teachers, can sign up using the ‘Participant Registration Form’ below.
If you are a STE(A)M Ambassador or Air Mobility industry professional who wishes to support this event, please complete the 'Volunteer Registration Form' below and we will be in touch!
If you are a teacher, parent, member of the Aerospace industry who wants to get involved, or you have any further queries about the programme, or need help completing the registration form, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: openskies@flight-crowd.com.
Alternatively, please join one of our virtual Information and Q&A sessions: