ACE, Polk County Public Schools, Polk State College, Others Keep Aviation Talent Pipeline Flowing
Aviation is one of the leading industries in Polk County. Its footprint continues to grow as a variety of institutions within the community offer training programs for the next generation of workers.
“Polk County is becoming a national model for aviation education. With innovative programs, strategic partnerships and a commitment to hands-on learning, the district is not just preparing students for jobs — it’s launching careers,” said Josette Twait, Assistant Director of the school district’s Career, Technical &. Adult Education department. “The district’s proactive approach is attracting attention from aviation industries across the country.”
Boeing forecasts report the following needs:
- 2.4 million new aviation jobs through 2044.
- The United States alone is expected to face a shortage of 25,000 aircraft technicians by 2028.
- An estimated shortage of 17,000 pilots by 2032.
Polk County’s Airport Directors
Lake Wales Municipal Airport Director Amanda Lomneck said the district’s aviation-related offerings, along with those from local colleges, make “the talent pipeline in Central Florida unlike any other. We are surrounded by schools with strong programs. Aviation management, aerospace engineering, simulation, aircraft mechanics, pilot, and much more. So, finding talent is not hard. When the airport or other businesses located at the airport are hiring, they are free to do so.”
Adam Lunn, Lakeland Linder International Airport’s (LAL) Assistant Airport Director, and Troy Heidel, Winter Haven Regional Airport’s Director, agree.
“We are fortunate to have a great talent pipeline right here at LAL,” Lunn said. “The number of educational programs available to those of all ages has sparked significant interest in Lakeland International throughout the aerospace industry. In fact, our own team is filled with former summer campers, interns and students of these programs.”
Heidel said: “Polk County has a deep bench of aviation talent. It is supported by strong technical schools, flight training programs and nearby universities. We’re fortunate to have a steady stream of skilled candidates when positions open. The industries on our field — whether in maintenance, training or operations — also benefit from this talent pipeline. It allows them to meet staffing needs without long delays.”
Quality Aviation Educational Opportunities
Kris Hallstrand, LAL’s director, summed it up: “Central Florida is home to great education systems that focus on aviation. Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) focuses on kids through young adults. They provide engaging opportunities to explore aviation and all it has to offer for rewarding careers. Our on-airport colleges and tech-schools offer degrees in aviation from pilot training to airport management and aircraft maintenance programs to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licenses.”
John Helms, executive director of Bartow Executive Airport, said the Central Florida Aerospace Academies “are two of the most amazing high schools in the country, introducing students to the aviation industry.” He said he has not had any problems hiring qualified employees, with the exception of air traffic controllers. Its maintenance facilities have said licensed aircraft mechanics are also difficult positions to fill.
The Early Years
There are a variety of programs throughout Polk County for those interested in aviation careers. Starting with youngsters at SUN ‘n FUN, advancing through middle and high school, then ending with technical colleges and universities.
“The Aerospace Center for Excellence, born from the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, offers year-round activities that inspire the next generation of aviation professionals,” Lunn said.
ACE is a leader in aerospace and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. They provide youth a number of outlets to experience aviation at a young age. That includes summer camps and educational workshops and forums at the annual Fly-In. The goal is to engage children at the youngest possible ages.
“We believe that introducing children to aviation from day one helps build a positive association with the industry,” Eric Crump, Vice President for ACE, said. “Utilizing stories and play, we familiarize young children with aviation in an exciting way. We also introduce the idea that there are no barriers in this industry. Anyone can be anything in this field. We show them examples that look and sound like them, so they know it is true. From stories that we read, historical characters we explore, and industry experts we bring in to speak we make sure that everyone knows the proverbial cockpit door is open to them.”
There are 12 summer aviation camps hosted by ACE each year, attracting young people from all over the country, and even some internationally.
“From early exploration of STEM concepts for our youngest campers all the way up to our Take Flight camp, an opportunity to begin real ground and flight training, and our Future Engineers camp, a survey of the engineering field and related careers, our summer camp program is a critical component of our year-round educational footprint.”
Polk’s Public Schools
Early career exposure and immersive learning have helped make the school district’s programs so successful, Twait said. There are opportunities for both middle and high schoolers to delve into the aviation world, provided by both the Central Florida Air Academy, as well as through ACE.
ACE has an all-new middle school curriculum “focused on integrating STEM and aviation. This curriculum serves to prepare learners for high school and future careers in the aviation industry. As of the 2025-26 school year, over 150 middle schools in 25 states across the country and in 5 other countries are implementing the middle school curriculum,” Crump said.
“By integrating aviation education at both high school and middle school levels, Polk County Public Schools ensures students are exposed to aviation careers early,” she said. “The immersive, on-site learning environments at Central Florida Air Academy (CFAA) campuses allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.”
The original CFAA at Kathleen High School and Lakeland Linder has been so successful the school district expanded it to Winter Haven High School and the municipal airport there.
“This academy offers five aviation pathways: Aerospace Technology, Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance, and Unmanned Aviation Systems. Students gain hands-on experience directly on airport property,” Twait said.
Extracurriculars
Alongside this, there are afterschool programs for CFAA students, hosted by ACE.
Crump said the program “allows students to conduct hands-on projects to develop their technical skills while also boosting critical thinking, effectively allowing them to immediately apply and practice what they learn during the school day.”
Students at the Lakeland campus have also participated in NASA’s TechRise Challenge, “joining over 530 students nationwide to design and build science and technology experiments. This gave them real-world, hands-on experience with the same processes professional researchers follow—equipping them with critical skills for the aerospace economy,” she said.
Heidel said his airport is “fortunate to have a strong network of programs dedicated to preparing future aviation professionals. The CFAA brings students to the airport to follow a dedicated aviation-related curriculum. Many of these students gain hands-on experience through the Aspiring Aviators Aero Club. They work side-by-side with aircraft mechanics after school, building and restoring real aircraft.”
Real Results
Collaborations and partnerships with local airports like Lakeland and Winter Haven, aviation businesses and scholarship programs like the James C. Ray Scholarship have helped produce 161 pilots in recent years, Twait said. “These partnerships provide real-world exposure and financial support for students pursuing aviation careers.
James C. Ray performed a career logging more than 3,500 flying hours. Knowing what he learned in flight school contributed to his success, Ray started the scholarship fund to support students living or attending college in Polk County and pursuing careers in aviation.
Students benefit from the focus on aviation. They graduate with “industry-relevant certifications and training, making them immediately employable or well-prepared for further education in aviation fields” Twait said. Students can earn certifications in four Federal Aviation Administration areas: Aviation Maintenance Technician, Ground School, Private Pilot and Remote Pilot.
College Offerings
In addition to the school district’s aviation- and aerospace-focused academies, other institutions offer courses in aerospace administration, aircraft maintenance, pilot sciences, aircraft dispatching, and now air traffic control.
For instance:
- Polk State College offers associate degrees in Professional Pilot Science, Aerospace Administration and Aviation Maintenance, along with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Sciences with a focus on Aerospace Administration or Professional Pilot. It also offers a certificate in airport dispatching.
- Southeastern University offers a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management: Professional Pilot, and minors in Aviation Operations and Aviation Management.
- Traviss Technical College offers two paths into aviation careers through its Advanced Air Traffic Control and FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance programs.
- “The ATC program at Bartow Executive Airport features FAA-grade simulators that immerse students in real-world scenarios, preparing them for careers as air traffic controllers — a field currently facing a national shortage,” Twait said.
- “The Aviation Maintenance program includes FAA-approved courses in Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics, open to high school and adult students. Students receive hands-on training using industry-standard tools and processes, preparing them to earn FAA certifications and enter the workforce as Aviation Maintenance Technicians. The program includes 1,350 hours of instruction per track and boasts strong employment outcomes in both commercial and general aviation sectors,” she said.
On the Job Training
The next generation of aviation-related workers are being trained by the numerous schools around Florida. And even through on-the-job training, Lomneck said.
“I have one operations specialist at the airport and he has never attended formal school. I trained him on the job. Then, sent him to several trainings by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Titan fuels, and other online training,” she said.
“FDOT offers free pavement training twice a year. It teaches you how to identify problems with concrete and asphalt and how to fix them,” Lomneck said. “AAAE has a slew of training opportunities on their website from Operations and Finance to an AAAE Certified Member. Titan fuels offers specific training on how to test fuel and take care of the day-to-day tasks associated with your fuel farm.”
Winter Haven’s flight schools also help fill the need for aviation employees, Heidel said, “We have three flight schools on the field, offering training that ranges from a Private Pilot License all the way through Certified Flight Instructor certification. This combination of classroom learning, hands-on mechanical work and professional flight instruction ensures that young people in our community have a clear and practical pathway into aviation careers.”
Bartow Flying Service also operates a flight school, also training the next generation of pilots, Helms said.
Lunn summed it up: “It’s truly amazing to see all these institutions working together to provide these types of opportunities for our students. Anyone interested should feel free to reach out to our team at Lakeland International (or the airports in Lake Wales, Winter Haven and Bartow) or directly to the institutions to learn more.”
How You Can Help
Aviation in Polk County is only going to continue to soar. Community members are always encouraged to find a way to support. ACE recently released their 2025 Impact Report, which highlights their mission and programs. Every year, SUN ‘n FUN also needs and staff an astounding 3,500+ volunteers to help everything run smoothly. If you are interested in volunteering for this exciting event or other ACE offerings, click here.
Polk County’s aviation talent pipeline is more than just a workforce strategy. It’s a long-term investment in the future of the industry. With strong collaboration between schools, colleges, training centers, and industry partners, the county is cultivating a steady stream of skilled, job-ready professionals equipped to meet the evolving demands of aviation. It’s pilots, technicians, engineers, or support staff and others. Polk County is ensuring the next generation of aviation talent is ready for takeoff—right here at home.
