Story ID: 
Atlantic Aviation Partners on Chicago Student Outreach
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The FBO chain give students bizav career exposure
Word Count: 225
Atlantic Aviation is expanding its STEM and workforce outreach in the Chicago area, one of the nation’s busiest aviation corridors, in an effort to give students there early awareness of, and access to, the industry.
The FBO chain is partnering with the Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS) and Chicago Public Schools to give students at Morgan Park High School on the Windy City’s South Side immersive exposure to business aviation careers, including the FBO and MRO realms.
“At Atlantic, we believe aviation should be accessible to anyone with the drive to pursue it,” said company CEO Jeff Foland. “This initiative is about opening doors, connecting students to real opportunities and showing them what’s possible.”
With the aviation industry facing workforce shortages, the program focuses on showing those students pathways to success, aside from the traditional four-year college degree. Starting in about a year from now, participating students will begin their journey to develop job skills through BITTS, with some progressing to paid summer internships.
“I know first-hand how powerful access and opportunity can be," said BITTS creator Irving, a pilot, aviation industry advocate, and educator. “When young people are given the chance to step into this world and see what’s possible, it can change the trajectory of their lives.”