Aviation Workforce Development Grants Awards
The recipients of the Aviation Workforce Development Grants will help educate the next generation of aviation professionals across the United States in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Between fiscal years (FY) 2022 and 2024, a total of $33.5 million in grants was awarded. See the lists of ⇣ Aircraft Pilot and ⇣ Aviation Maintenance Technical Worker grant recipients in the tables below.
Select a FY from the drop-down menu to the top-right of the interactive map below to see the grants awarded that year.
The FY 2024 grant recipients were awarded under funding opportunity 23-FAA-AWD-AP. A total of $4.5 million in grants was awarded.
| Recipient | Location | Project Description | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County Community College | Washington, NC | Project will use a structured mix of in-person and online ground school teaching methodologies to reach a diverse student body upon successful completion of the ground school course and demonstrating proficiency in flying an FTD/simulator or drone. In addition to promoting the education of future airline pilots and creating a youth pipeline for potential aircraft pilots and drone operators in rural Eastern North Carolina. | $374,930 |
| Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City, NC | Project will support student development through activity components that are fully integrated to form a comprehensive support system. The project’s key components are Authentic Aviation Experiences, Technology-Rich Aviation Education Laboratory (TR-AEL) and Family Involvement. Students will have a chance to engage in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operation, flight simulator experience, discovery flight to enhance authentic and experiential learning experiences. The learning activities have been carefully designed to meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Science and Mathematics. The program will also feature the Family Café, a special interactive family involvement forum that will provide parents and other adult family members with information, resources, and support needed to become an active partner in their children’s education. | $500,000 |
| Fox Valley Lutheran High School Federation Inc | Appleton, WI | Project will build and deploy flight simulators to enhance aerospace education. The simulators' immersive experiences will bridge theory and practice, fostering improved learning outcomes and inspiring the next generation of aerospace enthusiasts. The program’s initiative seeks to instill a passion for aviation, facilitate hands-on learning and cultivate potential future careers in aerospace engineering. | $27,800 |
| Georgetown Independent School District | Georgetown, TX | Project will expand and enhance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) curriculum and coursework for high school students and provide professional development for high school educators. | $462,208.95 |
| Harrisburg University Of Science & Technology | Harrisburg, PA | Project will alter the program’s delivery method to ensure the program is more convenient for high school teachers to gain a Remote Pilot Certificate and become vetted to teach the credit-bearing courses. | $169,692.58 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville, IA | Project will aim to boost interest and enrollment in aviation programs, increase the availability of financial assistance and prepare area high school participants for high-demand aviation careers. The program's objectives are to (1) develop an aviation high school transfer program, (2) expand the current Drone Program, (3) develop a Rotary Wing curriculum, and (4) increase visibility of the applicant in the Aviation Training Industry. Courses will be developed to engage students with the tools to pursue advanced education and careers in the aviation industry. The proposed project will open the first community college rotary-wing pilot program in the state. | $493,657 Yr. 2 Continuation Funding: $374,930 |
| Kent State University | Kent, OH | Project will train high school students to engage, nurture student interest in aviation careers and use manned/unmanned aircraft flights for in-person, virtual reality, and online media in northeast Ohio. These three media will be designed to capture, train, and develop teachers that will nurture student interest in aviation careers by teaching the next generation of aircraft pilots and UAS operators. | $419,708.47 |
| Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge, LA | Project will use a training curriculum developed by nationally recognized educators to train high school educators as small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) pilots and provide the resources and guidance for teacher to establish local training programs. This train-the-trainer model will develop a network of sUAS education efforts that serve a broad population of Louisiana high school students and guide growth into certified sUAS pilots. | $476,643 |
| Ohio State University, The | Columbus, OH | Project will provide students with UAS knowledge, experience and actual flight proficiency skills that will advance students in the employable fast-growing drone industry. | $346,400 |
| Pacific Aviation Northwest, Inc. | Grants Pass, OR | Project will enable students from two local counties (Josephine and Jackson) to access training resources and expand educational/career opportunities. | $500,000 |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN | Project will develop an innovative experiential learning pathway program for the next generation of pilots that meets the knowledge requirements of both crewed and uncrewed aircraft (UAS) pilots. The project’s innovative and sustainable program will engage teachers, parents, and students on a pathway to a career in aviation. The high school curriculum is portable, accessible, and low-cost. In addition, the program will use a train-the-trainer model that strategically uses innovative automated flight training and simulation technologies that incorporate artificial intelligence to engage students efficiently and effectively in experiential learning activities. | $383,824 |
| University Of Maryland Eastern Shore | Princess Anne, MD | Project will enhance teacher professional development that will culminate in an engaging aviation experience and educator certification as FAA Ground Instructors. The program will prepare and certify educators who can provide high-quality aviation education in high school classrooms. By providing teachers with the tools, knowledge, and certifications needed to effectively teach aviation subjects, the program will aim to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the aviation industry. | $345,136 |
The FY 2023 grant recipients were awarded under funding opportunity 22-FAA-AWD-AP. A total of $5 million in grants was awarded.
| Recipient | Location | Project Description | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation Institute | Frederick, MD | Project will enable Train-The-Trainer program to expand the Teacher Professional Development Opportunities project. The proposal will allow the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation Institute to deliver professional development to teachers across the country who are using the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum. | $498,100.00 |
| Black Pilots of America | Seattle, WA | Project will administer the Red-Tailed Hawks Flying Club curriculum. Each component of the project will help inspire and create the next generation of aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, and unmanned aircraft systems operators. | $500,000.00 |
| Broward College | Pembroke Pines, FL | Project will establish drone leagues and competitions to engage high school students to pursue aviation careers and lay the foundation to address the pilot workforce shortage. Broward College will organize a regional drone competition to stimulate more interest in aviation and related careers to help create needed pipelines for future and next-generation pilots. Participants enrolled in the Drone Racing Operations and Navigation Education (DRONE) project will be dual-enrolled in the course, be prepared for the drone pilot ground training (FAA Part 107) exam, and earn an industry credential. | $500,000.00 |
| Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO | Project will support the development of the aviation pilot workforce. The program includes an all-inclusive on-campus unmanned aircraft systems aviation summer program. | $345,711.00 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Daytona Beach, FL | Project will develop both a UAS program and ground school flight program, which is planned to result in portable, cost-free training curricula for schools nationwide. | $484,803.00 |
| Kentucky Office of Employment and Training | Frankfort, KY | Project will give high schools and aviation businesses across rural, urban, and suburban Kentucky access to a high-quality curriculum that will bridge the “final mile” from high school to the aerospace industry. | $500,000.00 |
| Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals | Mount Royal, NJ | Project will expand its existing Explore Aerospace Program, developed in 2020, to offer consistent programming for youth interested in careers in the aviation industry and provide resources to deepen students’ knowledge of aviation and aerospace. | $171,231.80 |
| School District of Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA | Project will comprise two pathways: private pilot training with the opportunity to earn a pilot license and drone training to earn an unmanned aircraft systems operator license. Both pathways are offered to Frankford High School students through scheduled classes during the regular school day and at no cost. | $197,180.00 |
| Sling Flying Club | Torrance, CA | Project will recruit and train local high school students as private pilots, high school students as unmanned aircraft system pilots, and will provide professional development for teachers to educate teachers about careers in aviation, particularly professional pilots and UAS pilots. | $499,865.00 |
| Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum | Detroit, MI | Project will educate and train UAS operators and aircraft pilots. | $500,000.00 |
| University of Virgin Islands | St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands | The project will support new enrollment opportunities and program establishment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, expanding access to aviation education for local students. The program aims to introduce over 10,000 high school students to aviation careers and training pathways. Program activities will include career days, aeronautical events, drone and flight demonstrations, presentations, guest lectures, simulation experiences, aviation-themed events, airport field trips, and introductory flight experience days at U.S. Virgin Islands airports. | $499,301.00 |
| William Jessup University | Rocklin, CA | Project will attract, orient, and educate Sacramento-area high school students on the basics of aviation, resulting in at least 100 indicating a desire to continue training in some aspect of aviation. The proposed program will provide participants with the theoretical knowledge required, opportunities for hands-on experiences, and lists of occupations utilizing aviation-related skills and knowledge. | $303,808.20 |
The FY 2022 grant recipients were awarded under funding opportunity 20-FAA-AWD-AP-1. A total of $5 million in grants was awarded.
| Recipient | Location | Project Description | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | Project will provide an independent program, “Aviation Career Education for Students (ACES),” high school students in Northeast Florida with meaningful aviation education and exposure to the aviation field. This program will provide for the creation of a Drone Racing League and professional development workshops to high school teachers throughout Florida and Georgia. | $498,000 |
| Northwestern Michigan College | Traverse City, MI | Project will consist of three distinct components designed to prepare secondary teachers to introduce Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) applications into their high school programs or develop standalone UAS programs, including a two-day train-the-trainer course. | $90,000 |
| Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City, NC | Project will adopt the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the FAA Aviation Career Education, and grade-appropriate National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) curriculum and integrate virtual reality simulation, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operation, flight simulator experience, sensor-based measurement systems, and discovery flight to enhance authentic and experiential learning experiences. The project will extend learning to the school districts in the form of a mobile Aerospace Education Lab, equipped with a state-of-the-art desktop flight simulator, aircraft design station, desktop wind tunnel, weather station, GPS and radio receiver, 3D printers, mini quadcopter UAVs, and a set of hands-on aviation-themed Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) experiments. | $269,000 |
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND | Project will hold Teach the Teacher events in eight locations across the region during the academic school year, preparing teachers to become Part 107 certified, followed by summer professional development workshops for STEM high school educators focused on the implementation of Aviation, UAS, and engineering principles. In addition, direct outreach to bring hands-on learning experiences for the rural high schools in the area will occur. | $488,000 |
| County of Scottsbluff School District #16 | Gering, NE | Project will provide Gering student aviators with Unmanned Safety Institute drone curriculum, to acquire their FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, UAS Safety Certification Program, Visual Line of Sight System Operations, and Advanced Safety Certification Programs, while earning college credits. Concurrent with drone training, students will prepare for and complete their Private Pilot Written Exam, and train with FAA Certified Flight Instructors on simulators and in airplanes, to earn their Private Pilot License. | $500,000 |
| Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology | Flushing, NY | Project will provide a tuition-free early college experience for high school students that enables them to complete the majority of credits in the UAS certificate program while still enrolled in high school. | $498,000 |
| Aerotrek Flight Academy, LLC | Ohio, OH | Project will provide an eight-week course to highlight aviation opportunities and teach basic piloting skills. Eleventh and twelfth graders will have the opportunity to enroll in college credit courses. | $77,000 |
| Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission | Oklahoma, OK | Project will launch a statewide program that includes the training of teachers and the delivery of the “You Can Fly” Pilot and UAS Pathway High School Curriculum to students, resource to high schools with Aviation/STEM laboratory equipment and/or supplies to ensure the implementation of meaningful aviation education, host eight (8) Regional Aviation/STEM Days students and a high school Pilot Day students, and support comprehensive professional development of school leaders using the curriculum as well as through statewide Aviation Summits and Regional Aviation/STEM Day events. | $491,000 |
| Harrisburg University of Science & Technology | Harrisburg, PA | Project will administer a program to aid in the acquisition of FAA Part 107 Certification for students that will include supplies and equipment. | $135,000 |
| Spartanburg County School District #5 (James F. Byrnes High School) | Duncan, SC | Project will expand Aerospace Science education offerings with the addition of aviation-related college credit courses and hands-on flight experience with the objective of increasing the number of students selecting careers as aircraft pilots. This program will provide in-depth studies that will result in students earning their FAA Part 107 certificate. | $31,000 |
| South Carolina Department of Education | Columbia, SC | Project will develop sustainable UAS operation education programs to school districts in South Carolina counties throughout middle schools, high schools, and Career and Technical Education Centers. | $425,000 |
| Florence School District One | Florence, SC | Project will deliver an integrated curriculum that will build a foundational knowledge of the commercial aviation environment with the ultimate objective of producing FAA-certified private pilots. | $339,000 |
| Crowley Independent School District #912 | Crowley, TX | Project will launch two (2) new programs of study (Aviation Flight and Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles and Systems). Additionally, the engineering program of study will be revised to incorporate the enhancement of Aerospace Engineering. | $139,500 |
| Utah State University | Logan, UT | Project will create three (3) high school courses including lesson plans, online and in-person teacher curriculum and seminars for building/maintaining drones, as well as, deliver curriculum to youth through flight lab kits and training with hands-on experiential learning activities, including using collegiate student interns. Aviation Career Exploration will also support the professional development of teachers by implementing a hands-on curriculum for the in-service workshops for educators that will provide the instruction objectives, lesson plans, and materials for high school youth. | $238,500 |
| Randolph Macon Academy | Front Royal, VA | Project will implement the use of two virtual reality simulators in conjunction with a training syllabus to provide an immersive experience for all Randolph-Macon Academy students. | $307,000 |
| Old Dominion University Research Foundation/Virginia Space Grant Consortium | Norfolk, VA | Project will provide expanded flight training through the Virginia Space Grant Consortium-led Pathways Flight Academies program, develop and offer an online private pilot ground school course for dual enrollment college credit, and provide scholarships for flight training. | $474,000 |
The FY 2024 grant recipients were awarded under funding opportunity 23-FAA-AWD-AM. A total of $9 million in grants was awarded.
| Recipient | Location | Project Description | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAR Aircraft Services, Inc. | Oklahoma City, OK | Project will expand beyond four maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities to include Landing Gear and Component Repair facilities located in Miami, Florida and Garden City, New York. | $500,000 |
| Aersale, Inc. | Coral Gables, FL | The Aersale ACE Academy will create pathways to become certified aviation maintenance technicians, such as the ACE Apprenticeship, which is a 90-day intensive program for technical training aligned with FAA standards and company policies. The program will encompass six state-of-the-art Part 145-certified repair stations, a robust training program, and established local partnerships. | $400,000 |
| Alabama Aerospace And Aviation Schools, Inc. | Bessemer, AL | Project will provide students the opportunity to complete the Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic's License and/or Avionic Technician Certification. | $398,375 |
| Cincinnati State Technical And Community College | Cincinnati, OH | Project will establish a high school aviation maintenance technician program in the Northern Kentucky portion of Greater Cincinnati, an area of more than 400,000 residents, 15 high schools and two career centers in both urban and rural settings that currently does not have convenient access to programming. | $493,277 Yr. 2 Continuation Funding $492,475 |
| Clemson University | Clemson, SC | Project will expand the WE AIM program. | $497,317 |
| Conway School District | Conway, NH | Project will expand and enhance Mount Washington Career & Technical Center's (MWVCTC) existing aerospace and aviation curriculum in alignment with the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Career Cluster defined by the New Hampshire Department of Education, the three sections of the FAA Airman Certification Standards requirements (General, Airframe, & Powerplant), manufacturers’ manuals, and post-secondary partner Nashua Community College (NCC) Aviation Technology (AT) program to foster a seamless transition from high school to post-secondary training leading to credentials in AT. | $301,129 |
| DFC, Inc. | Woodland, CA | Project will launch an Apprentice program to allow students the opportunity to earn a living and gain valuable experience while getting the education needed to obtain an Airframe and Powerplant license. | $500,000 Yr. 2 Continuation Funding $500,000 |
| Houston Community College System District | Houston, TX | Project will establish a comprehensive aviation maintenance technician program to address the growing demand for skilled aviation technicians in the region. The program will provide students with hands-on training and theoretical knowledge to become proficient in aircraft maintenance and repair. | $431,284 Yr. 2 Continuation Funding $343,039 |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA | Project will contribute to meeting the national need for aviation maintenance technology (AMT) workers by inspiring interest and increase access to AMT careers in southeast Iowa. Indian Hills Community College will provide financial support to postsecondary AMT students with barriers to completion. | $302,816 |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | Project will amplify the region’s aviation maintenance technician workforce. | $500,000 |
| Joby Elevate, Inc. | Santa Cruz, CA | Project will provide a new accessible aviation maintenance technician career path, which will enable trainees to begin a paid mechanic apprenticeship immediately after completing the Light Sport Repairman - Maintenance (LSRM) certification program. This pathway allows for an aspiring aviation mechanic to earn wages while in training. After completing the paid 30-month apprenticeship, trainees will qualify to attain an A&P and gain further employment as a certificated aviation maintenance technician. | $500,000 |
| O.S. Johnson Technical Institute | Scranton, PA | Project will include the further development of a working airport-based training laboratory, pipeline recruitment activities for middle and high school students to stimulate interest in aviation maintenance technology careers, and student scholarships to assist students with financial aid. The curriculum and hands-on training supported will provide the knowledge and experience necessary for students completing the program to satisfactorily complete the written, oral, and practical tests required to be a certified Airframe/Powerplant mechanic. | $423,754 |
| Kenton County Airport Board | Hebron, KY | Project will increase the amount of exposure to aviation jobs, specifically aviation mechanics and have a positive impact on the workforce pipeline in the industry. The program will utilize the CVG’s (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport) Strategic Workforce Collaborative. The dedicated staff members will develop the annual Education Summit and the Guide to Industry to increase educator awareness for High Schools. The program will also include the expansion of the existing Aviation Camp. | $450,000 |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | The project will increase the number, diversity, and career readiness of aviation maintenance professionals in the Chicagoland area. Project SOAR leverages key educational partners including St. Augustine College (SAC) and Township High School District 214, to expand access to aviation maintenance training and career pathways. | $496,016 |
| Maysville Community and Technical College | Maysville, KY | Project will tackle scarcity of skilled aviation maintenance technicians and regional inequalities by providing an extended FAA-certified curriculum, interactive and engaging career workshops for middle school students, and targeted sessions for high schoolers to produce highly prepared aviation mechanic technicians. | $500,000 |
| North Dakota State College Of Science | Wahpeton, ND | Project will develop an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, develop collaborations with local/regional aviation organizations and facilitate FAA Part 147 Certifications. The program will build partnerships with local/regional aviation entities to facilitate the creation of dedicated lab and classroom spaces for instruction in aviation maintenance in Fargo, North Dakota. | $307,608 Yr. 2 Continuation Funding $307,608 |
| San Bernardino Community College District | San Bernardino, CA | Project will leverage its existing relationships with local high schools and K-12 districts to expand the successful Aviation Mechanics/Airframe and Powerplant Technology program to serve an increased number of students. | $498,555 |
| School Board of Miami-Dade County | Miami, FL | The project will enroll students in the Aviation Maintenance programs that prepares them to take the General, Airframe, and Powerplant Written, oral/practical examinations producing certified/licensed technicians. The project will partner with Pan Am Flight Academy, AerSale, Barfield Inc, and AAR Air Services and will engage high school and post-secondary level students. | $500,000 |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville, TN | The project will prepare students for successful careers in aviation maintenance. Through comprehensive educational initiatives supported by grant funding, the program will bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, helping to build a skilled workforce that meets industry demands while ensuring aircraft safety and reliability. | $500,000 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | Project will develop and implement a new aviation maintenance technician training program enhancing educational opportunities for students. | $499,869 |
The FY 2023 grant recipients were awarded under funding opportunity 22-FAA-AWD-AM. A total of $5 million in grants was awarded.
| Applicant Name | Location | Project Description | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation Technical Services, Inc. | Everett, WA | Project will support careers in aviation maintenance for graduating high school seniors through apprenticeship programs. Approved apprenticeship and training programs support introductory unskilled and displaced workers, as well as military veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce. The project trains apprentice (introductory) airframe mechanics and develops aircraft mechanics through classroom and on-the-job training. | $459,206.29 |
| Cape Cod Community College | Plymouth, MA | Project will create a pathway for high school students to begin their journey to become a certified aviation maintenance technician starting in junior year of high school and add a National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies/Aircraft Electronics Technician Avionics Certification Program that will produce 24-48 certified avionics technicians per year. | $463,304.00 |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati, OH | Project will work to expand its aviation maintenance technician training capacity. | $423,594.00 |
| F & E Aviation Maintenance | Miami Springs, FL | Project will start an Airframe and Powerplant school at Cincinnati International Airport, in partnership with Epic Flight Academy. | $500,000.00 |
| Fulton Leadership Academy | East Point, GA | Project will collaborate with the Fulton Leadership Academy and Aviation Institute of Maintenance to create a dual enrollment aviation maintenance technician program for high school students. The Fulton Leadership Academy will develop and deliver an aviation maintenance technician program, expanding on the Aviation Institute of Maintenance’s existing program, with a focus on educating the next generation of students. | $500,000.00 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | Project will enhance the offerings within the Lincoln Land Community College Aviation Mechanics Program, and increase the number of students with the FAA credential to address the shortage of the aviation maintenance technical workforce. | $500,000.00 |
| Nashua Community College | Nashua, NH | Project will develop, promote, and deliver an industry-aligned competency-based aviation technology training program for New Hampshire. | $456,051.00 |
| Pearl River Community College | Poplarville, MS | Project will recruit, develop, train, and maintain a steady pipeline of middle-skill workers capable of supplying the growing aviation maintenance landscape in and around south Mississippi, using a multipronged approach. | $500,000.00 |
| San Luis Obispo County Community College District | San Luis Obispo, CA | Project will establish an aviation technical training program, in partnership with the County of San Luis Obispo and Aviation Consultants, Inc. (operating as ACI Jet) that addresses workforce demand and leads to jobs with a livable wage. Aerospace and aviation technician training is limited in the region, and the closest programs are cost prohibitive. | $484,299.00 |
| Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX | Project will support a new collaborative effort to recruit, train, and potentially hire high school students for employment as aviation maintenance technicians. The program, Bombardier/Tarrant County College District Aviation Maintenance Technician Gateway Program, will focus on students located in the Fort Worth area schools. | $282,345.71 |
| Technical Education Services | Norfolk, VA | Project will support outreach for careers in the aviation maintenance industry to secondary school students. The Aviation Institute of Maintenance seeks to establish a dual-enrollment program, including a scholarship program for high school students in the communities they serve. The project will support the expansion of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance’s National Veterans Resource Center located at the Norfolk, campus and expand the offering of its Professional Military Certification Course program on military bases. | $431,200.00 |
The FY 2022 grant recipients were awarded under funding opportunity 20-FAA-AWD-AM-1. A total of $5 million in grants was awarded.
| Recipient | Location | Project Description | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macon County School District | Tuskegee, AL | Project will develop a pilot program using an FAA approved and supervised curriculum to recruit students to participate in a 910 hours of on-the-job training program. This program prepares them for the Aviation Maintenance Technician - General certification test for entry in the workforce or to pursue a mechanic certificate with a single rating in either Airframe or Power Plant at the college level. | $425,000 |
| Pima County Community College District | Tucson, AZ | Project will prepare participants for certificates in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) focused on using NDT in the aviation industry for Level II NDT certification and enable existing aircraft mechanics to earn Level I and/or Level II NDT certifications. | $490,000 |
| North Orange County Community College District | Anaheim, CA | Project will establish new educational programs that teach technical skills used in aviation maintenance, including purchasing equipment to improve existing programs, establish a training and certification program for drone maintenance and repair on campus, develop a new curriculum and purchase tools, supplies, and storage equipment for student use, and develop a UAS Technician Certificate program. | $250,000 |
| San Bernardino Community College District | San Bernardino, CA | Project will expand an Aviation Mechanics/Airframe and Power Plant Technology program to high school students, improve existing program with up-to-date technologies, establish scholarships for students pursuing employment in the aviation maintenance industry, support certifications, support local community outreach about careers in aviation, and support educational opportunities related to aviation maintenance in an economically disadvantaged region. | $400,000 |
| International Brotherhood of Teamsters | Washington, DC | The project will develop and implement a new training program that provides foundational technical skills for individuals seeking to enter the aviation maintenance and manufacturing industry. The program will expand access to training opportunities and include dedicated pathways for separating veterans to gain the skills needed for industry entry. In partnership with industry stakeholders, the program will also facilitate employment and apprenticeship opportunities for participants who complete the training. | $450,000 |
| DLK Aviation Inc. | Kennesaw, GA | Project will expand the DLK Aviation training program by purchasing equipment and offering scholarships to Original Equipment Manufacturers courses. These courses will assist participants in advancing their careers by acquiring their Inspector Authorization certificate and training apprentice mechanics to become certified Airframe & Power Plant mechanics. | $250,000 |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | The project will implement comprehensive outreach and recruitment campaigns, expand program capacity and enrollment, strengthen student support services, and enhance the overall educational experience. These efforts will support transitions into aviation maintenance careers for veterans, high school students, and adult job seekers. The project will also expand the aviation maintenance technician workforce in southwest Iowa and neighboring eastern Nebraska by improving the college’s FAA-certified aircraft maintenance technician school. | $475,000 |
| Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport, LA | The project will support outreach to secondary school students about careers in the aviation maintenance industry and expand awareness of available training pathways. It will provide educational support through scholarships and stipends, offer dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, and assist transitioning military members, underemployed, and unemployed residents of North Louisiana in pursuing aviation maintenance careers. The project will also fund equipment to support hands-on learning and mechanical skill development. | $500,000 |
| Guilford County School System | High Point, NC | TThe project will provide middle school students with additional hands-on experience in aviation maintenance and engineering concepts, helping build interest in continuing aviation education at the academy. Efforts will focus on increasing participation from feeder schools and other middle schools across Guilford County. The project will also support the purchase of additional shop equipment to expand practical training opportunities and help students build the technical knowledge needed to pursue an Airframe and Powerplant license. | $45,500 |
| Dutchess Community College | Fairview, NY | Project will develop and implement a long-term, sustainable talent pipeline for the recruitment, education, certification, and employment of Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT). The new AMT program will offer the only Airframe and Power Plant Technician Certificate and AMT Associate in Applied Science degree programs in the Hudson Valley region of New York State. | $450,000 |
| Columbus State Community College | Columbus, OH | Project will create a promotion campaign and virtual tour of a local airport facility for students, leverage secondary education partners to reach students, their guidance counselors, instructors, and parents; connect professional organizations and employers with potential aviation technology students through panels, presentations, and awareness materials, enhance existing recruitment video for use on modern platforms; leverage veteran service partners to provide referrals, and procure and install requested equipment for updated training classroom. | $250,000 |
| Oklahoma State University | Stillwater, OK | Project will establish a sustainable pipeline that addresses the needs and priorities of the aviation maintenance workforce, which is a significant sector of the aviation/aerospace industry that drives Oklahoma’s economic growth. | $450,000 |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College) | Williamsport, PA | Project will improve an existing aviation maintenance program, and support outreach about careers in the aviation maintenance industry, and educational opportunities related to aviation maintenance. | $214,500 |
| South Carolina Department of Education | Charleston, SC | Project will improve existing educational programs at Trident Technical College that teach technical skills used in aviation maintenance, establish scholarships for individuals pursuing employment in the aviation maintenance industry, and support outreach about careers in the aviation maintenance industry to secondary and post-secondary school students, as well as to public community members. | $250,000 |
| Wisconsin Department of Transportation | Madison, WI | Project will strengthen Wisconsin's K-12 aviation maintenance programs, increase students’ exposure to aviation maintenance careers, build new programs to increase the visibility of aviation career opportunities, provide new high school internship and apprenticeship opportunities, and offer scholarships for underrepresented students interested in aviation maintenance. | $100,000 |
Last updated: Tuesday, May 5, 2026