We love building community with our partners because organizations are relational at heart. A key part of creating a healthy organization is understanding the data we generate together. Choose Aerospace exists to create a diverse, skilled workforce that changes lives for generations. By analyzing our (anonymized!) data, we see how we’re doing. ​

Our goal is to serve 10,000 learners by the end of the 27-28 program year. So far, we've reached 1,447 unique learners, with a target of 1,686 by the end of this program year. We’re 86% of the way to this goal, and we expect to reach it as new programs and adult education partners add students throughout the year. Great job, friends! 

Course completions are another measure of growth we follow. CA learners completed more courses in the first six weeks of the 24-25 program year than the total completed in our first two years combined. With an ambitious goal of 3,100 completions this year, we have work to do, but we’re confident we’ll get there. 

The best data story this year is about bringing new communities into the aviation workforce. Women and people of color are highly underrepresented in aviation maintenance. We’re proud to see our learners changing that. In a field where only 4.3% of workers are women, over 18% of our students identified as female. Additionally, 45% of CA students are from groups that make up just 16.6% of aviation maintenance workers. While we'd love these numbers to reflect the general population, we celebrate that they are significantly higher than in the current workforce (BLS, 2023). 

Teachers, your dedication is the key to changing students’ lives and empowering them to create a brighter future. Thank you for being a vital part of our story—we can’t do it without you! 

AAR CORP., Choose Aerospace, and the Aviation Technician Education Counsel (ATEC) have initiated a collaborative effort to donate surplus materials for educational purposes. The donated inventory includes fasteners, fittings, hardware, sheet metal stock, electrical connectors, and wiring – all aimed at directly providing industry-specific items to benefit schools’ education programs.

ATEC member schools can access the donation request form and inventory list here. Donations pass through Choose Aerospace, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and are shipped directly to approved institutions. Schools are asked to cover shipping costs or arrange for pickup at one of AAR’s locations. All school district and non-profit based Choose Aerospace programs are members of ATEC. If you have not done so yet, you can create your ATEC account here: https://www.atec-amt.org/create-account

"Transforming aged inventory into educational resources for future technicians has been a long-standing goal of ours. AAR is proud to be a pioneering partner in this initiative, and we anticipate many more will join us in supporting this vital cause,” said Ryan Goertzen, Vice President of Workforce Development at AAR and President of Choose Aerospace.​

Companies interested in donating surplus material to educational institutions are encouraged to contact ATEC Operations Manager Tarra Ruttman at [email protected].

Oklahoma CareerTech, a Choose Aerospace partner funding curriculum adoption across the state, recently announced that several Choose Aerospace program graduates from Putnam City High School are moving into the workforce. These graduates have been employed by local companies, JetSet, Aerovets Aviation, and AAR Corp, while some are also pursuing mechanic certification at the local A&P school, Metro Tech.
 
Putnam City High School also expanded its work-based learning program with AAR Corp as part of the company’s FAA workforce grant initiative. The MRO is providing ten Choose Aerospace students with internships this summer. Read more here. 

The Thrust Institute of Maintenance recently launched a podcast series where they deep dive into the world of aviation maintenance. On the most recent episode of the series, 'Nut's About Thrust', they sat down with Kelly Filgo, the Director of Operations for Choose Aerospace. Listen in to hear about the differences that Choose Aerospace is making for A&P students.
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Choose Aerospace is a non-profit organization that works to increase diversity and grow the pipeline of aviation maintenance workers. They do this by providing scholarships, training systems, textbooks, tools, and testing fee credits to educators and future aviators. 

FAA grant will help Choose Aerospace/Clemson University partnership reach more communities.
 
A program that provides high school students a pathway to an aviation maintenance career is expanding for the 2024-25 academic year thanks to a U.S. government grant that will provide financial aid and help grow the list of participating institutions.
 
Choose Aerospace and the Clemson University Center for Workforce Development will use the $500,000 Federal Aviation Administration grant to expand their high school technical training program, with a focus on under-served communities. The grant will provide financial aid for up to 500 students around the country. Participating schools will be eligible to apply for the curriculum scholarship for up to 25 students.
 
Schools are encouraged to apply for the funding, which will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to apply is August 1. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.chooseaerospace.org/curriculum.html.
 
Centered around a curriculum developed by Clemson University, the Choose Aerospace technical training program provides high school students with initial training required to become an FAA certificated mechanic. The program is active in 31 schools across 15 states and has nearly 600 students. Enrollment is set to grow, with 14 schools seeking to add the program and 300 additional students planned for the coming academic year.
 
"This grant will not only help grow the Choose Aerospace technical training program, but also will remove barriers to adoption so more institutions can join," said Choose Aerospace president and AAR Vice President Workforce Development Ryan Goertzen. "These career pathways are critical for the aviation industry, which faces a shortage of qualified mechanics. They also bolster career development programs, giving high school students an attractive pathway to high-paying jobs."
 
The FAA grant expands funding available to Choose Aerospace participants.
 
The organization also has an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education that covers training costs for up to 500 students in the state, where about half of the program's students are enrolled.
 
Choose Aerospace also received subaward grant funds from the City of Rockford, Illinois, that covers tuition for students in that community, which is an emerging aviation maintenance center of excellence.
 
The grants bolster support provided by other organizations, including many aviation companies that rely on a steady supply of qualified technicians. Choose Aerospace, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is proud to receive financial support from industry leaders such as AAR Corp. and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance.
 
Such support is key to Choose Aerospace's goal of helping foster a diverse, well-qualified pool of aviation maintenance technicians. The organization's target is to develop a program that fully supports pathway progression for 10,000 enrolled students by 2027.
 
About Choose Aerospace
Choose Aerospace is a partnership of aerospace stakeholders including companies, associations, labor unions, and education institutions, united to help ensure the availability of a diverse, qualified technical workforce. A primary objective for Choose Aerospace is to make aerospace career and technical training a priority in secondary schools and to provide multiple career paths to success within the industry. For more information or to learn how you can support Choose Aerospace's mission, see www.chooseaerospace.org.

Registration is open for a comprehensive three-day event featuring Teacher Training and an Industry Showcase. Hosted by Tulsa Tech Riverside Campus in partnership with the Aviation Technician Education Council's (ATEC) Academy and Choose Aerospace, this event promises to equip educators with the tools and knowledge to deploy aviation maintenance curriculum in a high school setting.

Event Details:
Dates: June 11-13, 2024
Location: Tulsa Tech Riverside Campus, 801 E 91st Street, Tulsa, OK 74132

Program Highlights:

• Industry Contacts: Forge valuable connections with industry professionals to support your aerospace education program.
• Career Awareness: Gain insights into the diverse career opportunities available in the aerospace industry, empowering you to guide your students towards rewarding career paths.
• Platform Training: Receive in-depth training on the EducateWorkforce platform, the online repository for the Choose Aerospace curriculum.
• Hands-On Projects: Get training on hands-on projects that compliment computer-assisted training, enriching your curriculum with practical experiences. The training is provided by current A&P school instructors courtesy of the ATEC Academy.

Industry Showcase:
Date: June 13, 2024
Time: 12:00-2:00 PM
Venue: Tulsa Tech Riverside Campus
About: Industry and A&P school representatives take advantage of the gathering and join educators from across the nation adopting the Choose Aerospace aviation maintenance curriculum for the upcoming academic year. Exhibitors will have tabletop space at the Industry Showcase, along with a directory listing attendees and programs incorporating the curriculum in the fall. Limited tabletop exhibit space and sponsorships are available. Reserve a table at https://www.chooseaerospace.org/exhibit.html

Registration Information:
Cost: Free for organizations approved for the Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum.
Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to enhance your aerospace education program and connect with industry leaders. Register now to secure your spot!

For more information and to register, visit https://www.chooseaerospace.org/teacher-training.

Contact: Tarra Ruttman, Program Manager, [email protected], 888.262.2367