Utah Rotor Pathways Program Drops In At High School To Connect Students To Career Training

Last month, the Utah Rotor Pathway Program (URPP) hosted its first annual fly-in at the Granger High School, Valley City, Utah, introducing students to the world of vertical flight and career opportunities, thanks to the helicopter and industry goodies on display.

To bring a measure of realism and put a face to the opportunities, various speakers, pilots, and mechanics were in attendance to share their experiences across numerous career fields, such as air ambulance, utility support, firefighting, flight training, and charters from industry organizations in Utah. The current Vice President of Government Affairs at Helicopter Association International (HAI), Cade Clark, stated that 'industry support for the URPP is essential' to the the longevity and growth of the world of vertical lift. 

The student turnout was a healthy one, as was their curiosity and general interest in learning more about the industry. Seeing all the industry goodies up close, touching the tech, getting a whiff of that ‘new car smell’, and talking to those career representatives certainly contributed to the students’ perception of achievable goals.

The URPP is a first-in-the-nation program that seeks to bring together industry and academia (from universities, colleges, and high schools) to provide helicopter pilot and maintenance training at the high school level (much like Rising Aviation HS in Addison, TX). Through the URPP and industry partners, students can receive mentoring, internships, and job interviews upon completing the college-level aviation program.

FMI: https://rotor.org, https://utahrotor.org