Aviation managers are worried about finding enough qualified people to fill the millions of job openings in the aviation industry that will be created by retirements and expansion over the next two decades. Especially vexing is the relatively small number of young people who are entering aviation-career-track education programs. The National Association of High School Aviation Clubs (NAHSAC) aims to help solve this problem by establishing an aviation club in every high school in the U.S.
The launch of NAHSAC was announced today at the FAA-Purdue University ACE Academy that is taking place this week at the Purdue University Aviation Technology Center at the Indianapolis International Airport. The announcement was made by Capt. David C. Koch in a presentation he made to the students who are attending the ACE Academy and their parents. Koch is the Executive Director of the Center For Airmanship Excellence, the managing sponsor of NAHSAC.
NAHSAC cosponsors include Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Lewis University, Kishwaukee College and Women In Aviation International (Chicago Leading Edge Chapter). NAHSAC is also working with the FAA, Great Lakes Region, on building a pipeline to careers in the aviation industry.
In addition to assisting students with starting an aviation club in their high schools, NAHSAC is also providing a portal to the aviation community for high school students and their parents, teachers and school administrators. NAHSAC also educates students about opportunities in aviation-and-aerospace education and employment through online resources and programming for aviation-club meetings. The NAHSAC website acts as the organization’s information hub.
“There has never been a better time for any young person who is interested in an aviation career to prepare themselves for the unprecedented opportunities that are opening up in the aviation industry,” Koch said.
I have developed a simulator and curriculum designed to teach STEM math and science using aviation simulation as a visual learning tool. Do you network with local school systems to advance STEM education and if so might you help connect us with them
Take a look at the attached and let me know what you think.
Nice idea, but what ever happened to Aviation Explorers and youth CAP squadrons?
I tried to promote this idea with government schools here in the Raleigh, NC area, but it was a complete waste of time. Government school leaders have little understanding of real careers, and even less interest in aviation. Our local high school even closed a very popular auto shop program and used the shop instead for cheerleader training, about says it all.
Excellent article! This is exactly what the industry needs and very glad to see the focus including involvement from the FAA!