WACS Awards $53k to Women for Aviation Career Training

The Women’s Aviation Career Symposium awarded more than $53,000 in scholarships to women pursuing maintenance and flight training at its eighth annual conference last Friday, bringing the event’s total scholarship awards to more than $215,000 since 2018.

The conference awarded $53,700 to the recipients at Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation in Battle Creek, Michigan. FlightSafety International awarded a corporate cabin attendant scholarship and a Bombardier Learjet 40/45 maintenance initial training scholarship.

More than 225 attendees participated in the conference, which brought together students, industry leaders, and aviation professionals for networking, mentoring, and career development while showcasing pathways in commercial, corporate, and general aviation.

“Every year we see the excitement and encouragement on the faces of our attendees as they seize new opportunities,” said co-founder Helen Hagg. “This gives us much joy and makes this conference so valuable to the next generation in aviation.”

The event included professional development workshops on scholarship applications, internship opportunities, resume writing, airline pilot pathways, and maintenance careers. Attendees participated in simulator sessions in a Cirrus G7 and Piper Seminole, as well as toured aircraft and the university’s College of Aviation. Sarah Kalmeta, founder of Pivot Point International, served as the keynote speaker.

Forty-seven aviation companies, schools, and organizations from the Great Lakes region participated in the conference. The next symposium is slated for March 20, 2027.