Building Equity for Aerospace Training

Earlier this year, Center of Excellence Executive Director Jason Petrait was asked by Everett Community College (EvCC) to lead a grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Building Equity for Aerospace Training. The $412,000 grant, a partnership with industry and three local school districts, is working to increase the number of women entering the aerospace technician workforce.

The grant brings together educators and industry to focus on closing the gender gap in aviation and increasing opportunities for women in aviation. Middle and high school teachers, community college faculty and career counselors are engaging in professional development to enhance STEM-to-aerospace career pathways for women.

By the end of the three-year project, partner schools intend to see a 30 percent increase in female students enrolling in career and technical education classes leading to aerospace degree programs at EvCC. 

As the grant’s Co-Principal Investigator, Jason will attend the National Science Foundation’s annual conference in Washington D.C. Hosted by NSF and the American Association of Community Colleges, the Advanced Technical Education 2022 conference takes place October 26th through the 28th. Look out for reports, photos and more from Jason this week and see the Center of Excellence's recent 1-pager on the grant here.