Utah Roundtable Explores Workforce Efforts in Aviation

UT – Utah Representative Burgess Owns organized an Aviation Workforce Development Roundtable which brought together helicopter operators, educators and government stakeholders. The purpose of the roundtable was to address workforce shortage issues within the aviation industry. The Helicopter Association International (HAI) participated in the roundtable that focused on ways to build on the success of the Utah Rotor Pathway Program and other means to help increase interest in aviation careers.

HAI created the Rotor Pathway Program to introduce the rotary-wing sector to students as a possible career. Utah was the first to establish the program. Under the program, students receive pilot and maintenance training, earn college credits, and are offered mentoring, internships, and job interviews. Some 32 high schools in the state participate and the number of industry partners continues to expand.

In addition, the roundtable looked at other ways to attract new workers to the sector and available government resources to support such efforts.