Oklahoma, a national leader in the aviation and aerospace industry, serves as a hub of continuous innovation. Despite a successful output, the sector faces a pressing challenge: aerospace companies are continuously seeking qualified personnel in every facet of the industry, and even with an average wage of $74,000, there is still a critical workforce shortage.
“Aerospace is Oklahoma’s second leading economic driver, second leading industry, and moving up quickly,” says Paula Kedy, the statewide Aerospace STEM Education Manager at Oklahoma Aerospace & Aeronautics. “So I think it is important that we look at how we ready students to enter the workforce. Most of [us in this industry] realize you can’t wait until they’re at the college level to try to meet those needs.”
Across the state, programs are working to address that shortage at the high school level. Norman Public Schools (NPS) is just one of the school districts attempting to rectify the issue through the Oklahoma Aviation Academy (OAA). With the assistance of the University of Oklahoma, Moore Norman Technology Center and industry partners from both the public and private sectors, the school district is creating the next generation of aerospace and aviation leaders.
“The Oklahoma Aviation Academy at Norman Public Schools has provided almost 300 students with a STEM education themed around aviation, aerospace and engineering,” says Terry Adams, OAA director at NPS. “Many students will pursue careers in aviation, such as piloting, UAS operations, air traffic control, aviation maintenance and weather forecasting.”
Through the OAA, students utilize a hands-on approach that transforms a traditional educational environment into an authentic connection to high-tech industry readiness. The OAA also provides educational pathways for students to connect directly with higher education, career tech and industry partners such as the Sooner Flight Academy, ensuring career readiness in the high-demand areas of aviation and aerospace.
There are two pathways for students. The first is the Flight Pathway, which brings students into either a pilot pathway or the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) remote drone pilot pathway. The second guides junior and senior high school students into the Tango Flight Pathway, where they pursue a cutting-edge curriculum with a strong mechanical, electrical and aerospace engineering foundation, helping them gain the skills needed to build an FAA-certified airplane.
The OAA also offers career programs in collaboration with Moore-Norman Technology Center, where students can begin working towards industry training and certification in Aviation Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanics, computers, IT, visual arts or engineering. An additional offering is the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program (CAP), with a curriculum focused on leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. The cadets participate in these four areas and advance through a series of achievements to earn honors and increased responsibilities.
Students can earn transferable college credits through multiple semesters of college-level coursework in both general education and the University of Oklahoma School of Aviation. Other options for students graduating from the OAA at NPS are to enter the military or become employed as an aviation, aerospace, engineering, or STEM-related industry professional.
For students concerned about funding, Oklahoma offers scholarships and grants; there are even exclusive scholarships available for GirlVenture attendees and Women in Aviation International scholarships. Programs like the Sooner Flight Academy and broader industry partnerships also create early exposure and potential apprenticeship-style experiences that can help offset traditional barriers to entry, particularly for aspiring pilots.
Oklahoma has left no stone unturned when it comes to providing the best workforce in the aviation and aerospace industry, with 149 schools in the state’s five districts offering innovative education for the next generation of these sectors’ leaders.
