Boys & Girls Club Launches Aviation Academy for Youth

News Summary

The Boys & Girls Club of Augusta has introduced the Aviation Academy, a summer program aimed at inspiring local youth to explore aviation careers. Open to participants aged 14 to 18, the initiative offers insights into various roles in the aviation industry while addressing critical workforce needs. Through guest speakers and field trips to local aviation sites, students will broaden their understanding of career opportunities beyond traditional roles. This program highlights the importance of nurturing future talent in the aviation sector and supporting community growth.

Augusta — The Boys & Girls Club of Augusta has officially launched a new initiative aimed at fostering interest in aviation careers among local youth. Known as the Aviation Academy, this summer program allows fifteen selected participants, aged 14 to 18, to explore various career opportunities in the aviation sector. The program is made possible through a partnership with local business leader and attorney Austin Jackson, who aims to inspire young people to consider aviation as a potential career path.

The need for workers in the aviation industry is significant, especially as the baby boomer generation continues to retire, leaving a vacuum that new talent must fill. The Aviation Academy is designed to introduce students to the diverse career possibilities within aviation, from engineering and air traffic control to military aviation and commercial airline operations. By addressing misconceptions around career options being limited to pilots and TSA positions, the program seeks to broaden the participants’ understanding of potential futures in the field.

During the program, students will have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, such as Marie Eve Poirier-Harris from American Airlines, who will share insights on the inner workings of commercial airlines. In addition to engaging talks, participants will also undertake field trips to various significant aviation sites, including Daniel Field, Augusta Regional Airport, Shaw Air Force Base, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. These excursions are intended to provide firsthand exposure to the aviation world, further igniting enthusiasm and interest among the youth.

The program has generated a considerable amount of excitement, with energy levels high among organizers and participants alike. Jackson conveyed that the initiative is not just about career exploration but also about uplifting youth, stating that it aims “to lift youth to new heights — literally and figuratively.” The initiative has garnered financial support from local organizations, including substantial contributions from SRP Federal Credit Union. Ongoing donations and volunteers are being sought to help sustain the program beyond its initial summer offerings.

According to recent survey results, teens who engage in similar programs often show a marked increase in interest in pursuing careers within the aviation field. The Aviation Academy aims to capitalize on this trend while also addressing food insecurity challenges that can escalate during the summer months when school is out, thereby providing students with both educational opportunities and nourishment.

The club’s leadership, including Kim Evans, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, noted the importance of instilling confidence and providing access to meaningful career paths for teens. Participants like Derek Fox have expressed a strong desire to learn more about airplanes and their operations, demonstrating a significant interest in aviation and solidifying the program’s objectives to inform and inspire.

While the Aviation Academy represents an innovative step forward in vocational education for local youth, it also underlines an essential community need for new talent in the aviation industry. With numerous job openings available at both Daniel Field and Augusta Regional Airport this program stands as a critical link between education and employment opportunities in a high-demand sector.

The Boys & Girls Club of Augusta remains committed to empowering young people with the knowledge and resources to envision successful futures in aviation, ultimately hoping to help them navigate exciting career trajectories that contribute to their personal growth and community advancement.

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HERE Resources

Boys and Girls Clubs Launch Aviation Academy for Teens

Additional Resources

• WRDW: Augusta Aviation Academy Lets Young People’s Ambition Soar
• The Augusta Press: Boys & Girls Clubs Aviation Academy Takes Flight for Third Year
• WFXG: Aviation Academy Lands at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta
• Google Search: aviation careers
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Aviation