District 214 Explores Aviation Courses For Students

District 214 administrators met with representatives from Lewis University and Priester Aviation this summer to discuss developing courses to build a pipeline of skilled aircraft maintenance technicians. The meeting, held at the Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling with members from the local business community, comes as the airline industry addresses the extraordinary demand of personnel needed to maintain airplanes, according to a news release from District 214. A 2016 Boeing study found 679,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed to maintain the world fleet over the next 20 years.

With a growing employment outlook and resources like O’Hare International Airport and the Chicago Executive Airport nearby, this aviation pathway is meant to provide a unique career development opportunity for District 214 students, according to the news release.

In addition, Lewis University in Romeoville has a longstanding history of providing aviation certifications and degrees.

"Our goal is for every student to discover their future," Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Lazaro Lopez said. "We're always looking for ways to expand the opportunities available to them to investigate career opportunities in fields of great potential."

Photo via District 214 website