Overview:
The Native American Aviation Association has received a U.S. Department of Labor grant to expand aviation and aerospace career pathways for Native Americans through scholarships, training, workforce support and employer connections.
The Native American Aviation Association has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop aviation and aerospace career pathways for Native Americans.
The award is part of the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Indian and Native American Programs – Employment and Training Grants program.
Through NAAA’s Native American Aviation Workforce Development Program, the organization will partner with Wichita State University Tech and its National Center for Aviation Training in Wichita to connect eligible Native American participants with aviation and aerospace education and training programs designed to prepare them for high-demand careers.
Training pathways may include Aviation Maintenance Technology, Professional Pilot training, Aerospace Manufacturing Technology, Avionics Technology, Composite Technology, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Non-Destructive Testing, machining and other aviation and aerospace technical programs.
NAAA said the grant is intended to address one of the major barriers facing Native people seeking careers in aviation and aerospace: the cost of obtaining the education and technical training needed to enter the industry.
The program will combine scholarship assistance with outreach, case management, workforce readiness support, employer engagement and access to student support resources at WSU Tech.
Building a Native aviation workforce
NAAA was established in part to address the underrepresentation of Native Americans in the aviation and aerospace industries.
At the same time, the aviation and aerospace sectors face long-term workforce demand for pilots, aviation maintenance technicians, manufacturing professionals, avionics technicians, inspectors, machinists and other skilled workers.
NAAA’s workforce development program is designed to connect those workforce needs with Native participants seeking education, training and employment opportunities.
The organization said its goal extends beyond introducing Native people to aviation careers. The four-year program is intended to help participants enter training programs, earn industry credentials, connect with employers, obtain employment and establish careers that can contribute to economic opportunities for individuals, families and Tribal communities.
NAAA plans to progressively expand Native American participation in the aviation industry during the four-year program.
Outreach to Tribal communities
NAAA is asking Tribal Nations, Tribal workforce programs, Native organizations, educational institutions and workforce partners to help spread information about the program and identify potential participants.
The organization said outreach will be particularly important for reaching people who may not have previously considered aviation or aerospace as a career option.
NAAA is preparing for program implementation, outreach, recruitment and participant enrollment.
The organization also plans to launch a scholarship application portal for prospective participants.
Additional information about eligibility requirements, available training pathways, the application process, timelines and scholarship opportunities will be released as the program gets underway.
