AAF inspires female future leaders from shop floor to top floor in Aviation, Aerospace, Marine & Defence and other high-tech STEM fields
The missing demographic
Despite the best recruiting and retention intentions, the number of women in technical and top executive/command areas of Aviation, Aerospace, Marine and Defence remains low.
Some examples: In both Canada and the United States, only 6% of the professional pilot population are women [1] - a statistic largely unchanged in the last 25 years. In Canada, only 2.3% of licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are women[2]. In the Canadian Armed Forces, women account for only 4% of the technical trades and less than 3% of the top command positions[3]. Worldwide, women account for only 1.28% of the global seafarer force [4].
[1] Transport Canada, Federal Aviation Administration as of 2021; [2] Transport Canada, as of August 2016; [3] Canadian Forces, as of January 2016 [4] International Chamber of Shipping, as of July 2021
Perception is deeply rooted
From the numbers it would be tempting to conclude that women are either uninterested or unwelcome in these fields. Instead, studies have shown that a common perception persists that Aviation, Aerospace, Marine, Defence and other high-tech STEM fields are reserved for men.
From an early age, everyone is affected by this perception message, which is continually reinforced by observation in our daily lives (lack of change), media, social media and advertising. The low numbers also mean that most women have no direct family or peer connections to Aviation, Aerospace, Marine and/or Defence. Therefore, it is unreasonable to expect gender and cultural diversity to resolve naturally in these fields.
A hands-on approach to inspire real change
The Achieve Anything Foundation was formed to develop and implement year-round events, projects and programs of lasting value towards inspiring female future leaders in STEM, and STEM-based fields such as Aviation, Aerospace, Marine and Defence.
Our events, projects and programs employ the unique hands-on approach of The Sky's No Limit - Girls Fly Too! signature annual events to create life-changing, lasting impressions in the minds of our target audience. Only by providing hands-on opportunities for the missing demographic to test drive these industries and by establishing mentoring partnerships between industry, education and our target female audience can real demographic change in these industries be achieved.
Explore new possibilities - hands-on
Our events, projects and programs introduce keen minds to the endless possibilities open to them in Aviation, Aerospace, Marine & Defence and other high-tech STEM fields.
Read moreInclude all generations for best results
- Plant the seed early for future change: Inspire youth early so they're aware of the endless future career and/or volunteer possibilities for themselves and others.
- Recruit for today: Target recruit-ready adults - including those considering a career change - and introduce them to incredible new opportunities they likely didn’t know were open to themselves or others in their network.
- Educate the mentors: Parents, mentors and counsellors will be better equipped to advise the women & girls they counsel having personally experienced these “non-traditional” opportunities themselves.
- Engage the wisdom and influence of elders: Elders are encouraged to participate for an experience of a lifetime! Elders generally have the greatest circle of networking and influence, plus in many cultures it’s the elders that others turn to for wisdom and guidance. Their support can have a very powerful effect towards change, particularly where traditional norms are concerned.