Preparing the Next Generation of Airplane Mechanics, Pilots, and Avionics Specialists for Electric & Conventional Aircraft
Rescripting the Narrative Around the Trades
Youth Learning in the Real World Through Apprenticeship in Highgate, VT
The aviation industry is growing at a rapid pace, yet challenges loom. In addition to an industry-wide pilot shortage, we do not have qualified maintainers to support this growth. Remaining on this current trajectory will result in a 24% deficit of almost 43,000 maintainers by 2027 (Oliver Wyman).
Habitat for Aviation will directly address the lack of maintainers by welcoming and encouraging individuals who have traditionally been marginalized from the industry, especially women, who currently make up less than 3% of aircraft mechanics.
We wrap our hands-on experiences in relationships, relevance, and practice and leverage the FAA's pathway for certifying individuals as airplane mechanics, pilots, and avionics specialists through on-the-job, apprenticeship-based learning alongside supportive industry professionals.
Guiding the Next Generation into Aerospace - One Youth at a Time
Passion drives aviation, there is no better way to foster and develop a passion than through the hands-on work of apprenticeship at Habitat for Aviation. In addition, the aviation industry is growing and there is an exceptional demand for qualified and experienced mechanics who love what they do and are good at it. Together, let’s inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals!”
Kyle Clark, CEO, Founder of BETA Technologies
When you’re learning with someone who’s put in years of work in a field, you’re going to see real-world issues come up that you would never learn how to solve without hands-on experience with a mentor.”
Ian Bradette, Youth Mechanic-in-Training & Student Pilot
Aviation is growing rapidly, and Vermont’s workforce won’t be left behind. Habitat for Aviation is an innovative and community-focused apprenticeship program inspiring youth to pursue careers in aerospace. Here, students in rural areas and of all identities have a space to learn, fly, and thrive.”
Ellen KW Brennan, PhD, Program Administrator VT Space Grant Consortium/NASA EPSCoR
An Ecosystem of Partnerships
Habitat for Aviation is honored to partner with BETA Technologies, Big Picture Learning, EAA Chapter 613, Harbor Freight Fellowship Initiative, B-Unbound and local schools and organizations.
Support
We are incredibly grateful for the support from over 160 gifts from individual supporters as well as generous contributions from the following foundations and sponsors:
- Big Picture Learning’s Harbor Freight Fellowship Initiative
- Robert and Rhea Brooks Family Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation
- Vermont Community Foundation
- Green Mountain Power
- George W. Mergens Foundation
- 100 Women Who Care Franklin County
- Harbor Freight Leadership Lab
- Vermont Federal Credit Union
- Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
- SPARK Connecting Community at Vermont Community Foundation
Additional Partnerships
We seek additional partnerships across a broad range of organizations, government municipalities, education, philanthropy, and businesses. We are in the early stages of raising $12 million to renovate our warehouse into a hangar, build our programming, and construct a taxilane. We are committed to building as eco-friendly as possible and providing green spaces and charging stations for our community’s electric vehicles.