A program that provides rotor-specific aviation classes to high school students through partnerships with industry, high schools, and universities has officially rolled out in Utah, according to Helicopter Association International (HAI). The Utah Rotor Pathway Program partners universities with local high schools to teach rotor-specific aviation flight training and technician classes where high school students learn basic ground school material and earn college credit.
High school students will also have opportunities to work with industry partners through job shadowing, internships, and mentoring. Though it is in its initial stages of implementation, the program already has more than 40 members from 22 different program partners that in addition to universities include local operators in air medical and heavy-lift, as well as flight schools, tour operators, and local government agencies.
Students at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain, Utah, will be among the first to benefit from the program and are teamed up with Southern Utah University and Utah Valley University. “The rollout of the Utah Rotor Pathway Program is a testament to Lt. Governor Spencer Cox’s leadership, dedication of the Governor’s Office Economic Development and Talent Ready team, along with our industry and education partners stepping up to build out this program in less than a year,” said HAI v-p of government affairs Cade Clark. “This program is working because Utah has leaders in industry, education, and government willing to think outside the box, willing to step up, and get involved.”