This award provides funding to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to enhance the Aviation Technology program and a new Drone Technology program at the Career Center High School to meet the demands of the area’s current and new aerospace industries. A coalition of community groups is seeking to leverage the potential of aerospace economic development to improve the local community. The need for skilled workers will provide opportunities to connect students to pathways at Forsyth Technical Community College. Also, Elizabeth City State University is expanding its four-year Aviation Science and Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree to Winston-Salem. The program will train, expose, and inspire students to explore and enter these aerospace career fields. Students can gain current and future-ready skills with industry certificates and credentials. The project is expected to result in an additional 16 students completing at least one curriculum program and earning at least one third-party credential; however, the new equipment will benefit all students in the aerospace program. Golden LEAF funding is to purchase equipment and training materials to support training in aircraft maintenance and manufacturing.
