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Pensacola State College and ST Engineering have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opening a new Aviation Maintenance Training Academy at the Pensacola International Airport.
The announcement was made during the Feb. 27 grand opening of ST Engineering’s Hangar 2.
The proposed academy would be open to adult learners and dual-enrolled high school students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The training facility would be part of ST Engineering’s airframe Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul complex at the airport near the Pensacola campus.
PSC President Ed Meadows said the training facility would be about 12,000 square feet and constructed by ST Engineering. However, it would include PSC’s name – an official name for the proposed facility has not been released. Meadows said Leonardo Helicopters might also be involved in the project in some capacity.
The training school would need approval from the Florida Legislature. Florida Sen. Doug Broxson has endorsed the project.
“The industry sector has asked us to address workforce needs, particularly in the aviation industry,’’ Meadows said. “This partnership has been underway in the developmental stage for quite a while.”
If approved, classes would begin at the new aviation training facility in 2024.
Jeff Lam, president of commercial aerospace for ST Engineering, said the training would provide direct-to-industry jobs.
He said he hopes the academy will train up to 150 aviation technicians annually.
ABOVE: Pictured on left is Jeffery Lam, president of commercial aerospace at ST Engineering, with Dr. Ed Meadows, president of Pensacola State College, after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to explore opening a new Aviation Maintenance Training Academy at the Pensacola International Airport.
Photo courtesy of Pensacola News Journal