The Colorado Aviation Business Association Foundation (CABA Foundation), representing over 400 corporate and individual members within the business and general aviation industries throughout Colorado, has announced an upcoming event created for high school students who are interested or considering a career in aviation.
This free event, scheduled for September 28th, is co-sponsored by Wings Over the Rockies and hosted at their Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery at Centennial Airport. The Pathways event is open to students and their parents/guardians, and provides them with an opportunity to hear from professionals who work in eight different aviation-related careers, including: pilots, maintenance technicians, flight attendants, fixed-based operations (FBO), scheduler/dispatcher, aviation sales, FAA/ATC-tower operations and airport operations. During each “Career Corner” presentation, students and parents can expect to hear what it takes to achieve a job in that particular profession (training and experience), learn what average salaries and wages are like and what quality of life can be expected. After each short, 15-minute presentation, students and parents will then have an opportunity to speak one-on-one with Career Advocates, who can answer specific questions on that career choice and talk more about their role in the industry.
According to the 2019 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook, forecasters predict that 804,000 new civil aviation pilots, 769,000 new maintenance technicians and 914,000 new cabin crew will be needed to fly and maintain the world fleet over the next 20 years, including commercial and business aviation, and the civil helicopter industries, many of which will be available here in Colorado.
In addition to the Career Corners, there will be three (3) parent-focused sessions as well, providing parents and guardians with valuable information and resources on the costs of education, how and where to get schooling (local and beyond), where to find financing and scholarships and other training resources. There will also be a session discussing ways students can get started now, while in high school, working towards a career in aviation.
Kids and parents will be able to talk directly with representatives from many of the local schools and training organizations who will have booths onsite. Attendees will also have access to training aircraft, business jets, helicopters and more. Food trucks will be available on site and attendees will also have full access to all of the many interactive exhibitsat the Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery.
“Colorado has a surprisingly robust number of opportunities for young people exploring a career in aviation and aerospace,” says, Kandi Spangler, President of the CABA Foundation. “We are so fortunate to have access to not only some of the best schools and training outfits right here in our back yard, but to some of the best aviation jobs in the nation as well,” she continued. “Whether you’re seeking a job as a pilot, mechanic, flight attendant, operations, sales or with the FAA, we’ve got it all here in Colorado”.
The event will begin at 9:00 AM with an opening general session, including an address by David Ulane, Aeronautics Director for the Colorado Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics. The morning session will be repeated in the afternoon so participants have flexibility to attend all or just part of the day based on their schedule. The event ends at 3:00 PM. For more information and to register for the event, visit www.mycaba.org/events or https://explorationofflight.org/event/pathways-to-a-career-in-aviation/.Â
