Aviation Workforce and Education Programs
Pathways to Flight: Preparing Tomorrow’s Aviation Workforce
The FAA’s workforce development initiatives inspire, educate, and connect students of all ages to aerospace careers.
Together, these programs form a seamless pathway—starting with early awareness, advancing through skill-building, and culminating in immersive, real-world experiences that prepare students to meet the demands of the aviation workforce. Each initiative strengthens the FAA’s safety mission by cultivating the professionals who will sustain the world’s safest, most efficient airspace.
Aviation and aerospace career exploration equips the next generation of leaders with imagination, technical skill, and problem-solving ability—qualities essential to sustaining the FAA’s mission: the safest, most efficient airspace in the world. From pilots and mechanics to engineers and air traffic controllers, STEM AVSED programs build clear pathways into critical careers that keep our skies safe.
With Pathways to Flight: Preparing Tomorrow’s Aviation Workforce, the FAA offers programs that progress from early exposure to immersive experiences—helping students build knowledge, strengthen skills, and discover their passion for aerospace.
PATHWAYS TO FLIGHT: PREPARING TOMORROW’S AVIATION WORKFORCE
Adopt-A-School
Adopt-a-School provides educators with six ready-to-teach aerospace lessons—covering Drones, Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, Aviation Maintenance Technicians, Airports, and Space. With toolkits, workshops, and classroom visits from FAA aviation experts, educators are empowered to connect students with high-demand careers.
Smart Skies
Smart Skies, co-developed with NASA, uses interactive games and simulations to show how controllers safely manage air traffic. Students explore real-world challenges in flight safety and efficiency, gaining insight into one of aviation’s most essential workforce roles.
Airport Design Challenge (ADC)
In the Airport Design Challenge, students learn how airports support the National Airspace System by designing model airports in Minecraft. Guided by FAA experts, students apply engineering concepts to real aviation scenarios, covering airport layout, pavement, lighting, and structures.
Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academies
ACE Academies offer summer aviation programs for elementary through high school students, immersing them in flight planning, aircraft design, aviation history, simulations, and even hands-on flight experiences. Reaching 1,500–2,000 students each year, ACE Academies provide direct exposure to real aviation careers—including maintenance mechanics, pilots, drone operators, rocketry, and more. Through these immersive experiences, students gain early skills and insights that strengthen workforce readiness and support the FAA’s mission of aviation safety.
Dream With Us: High School Engineering Challenge
This national competition, co-sponsored by NASA, challenges students to solve real-world aviation engineering problems. Teams collaborate with industry mentors to design solutions, building technical skills, creativity, and teamwork while exploring advanced aviation and engineering career pathways.
Learn about the programs we offer to students at elementary, middle school, and high school levels. These programs can be easily integrated into any classroom environment.
- Elementary Programs (Grades K-5)
- Middle School Programs (Grades 6-8)
- High School Programs (Grades 9-12)
Pathways to Flight will continue to grow, adding programs and resources that inspire students to explore, connect, and pursue aviation and aerospace careers at every stage of their education.
Whether through classroom lessons, online games, summer academies, or advanced competitions, each program strengthens FAA’s mission by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to maintain the safest, most efficient airspace in the world. By bridging education with aviation demand, the FAA ensures that today’s students will become tomorrow’s safety leaders in the aviation workforce.