MELBOURNE, FL— Brevard Schools Foundation, Embraer Foundation and the Eau Gallie High School Aviation training program have partnered to educate and train the next generation of aviation mechanics. Embraer Foundation, through its Educational Partnership Program (EPP), provided a $12,500 grant to fund program services, supplies, tools, and equipment. The students in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program of Eau Gallie High School will gain the foundational knowledge and skills to become entry level aviation technicians and assemblers.
Pictured (left to right): Jeremy Salmon, Principal Eau Gallie High School; Dr. Danielle McKinnon, Director of Equity & Diversity, Brevard Public Schools; Rachel Rutledge, CTE Director, Brevard Public Schools; Janice Kershaw, President/CEO, Brevard Schools Foundation; Michael Amalfitano, CEO Embraer Executive Jets; Kirsten Patchett, Head of Human Resources USA and Executive Aviation; Bill McInnish, Aviation Instructor, Eau Gallie High School; and Monica Newman McCluney, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Embraer Foundation
The Educational Partnership Program (EPP) was implemented by Embraer to provide industry-specific scholarship and internship program to inspire and recruit students into aviation careers and allow students to experience the aviation industry before graduation. Eau Gallie HS’s Aviation training program, a part of the EPP’s structured pilot program, provides students opportunities to pursue entry-level positions with Embraer as they look to onboard more talented students in the coming years.
“As one of the leading companies in the aerospace industry, Embraer is focused on innovation and education. Education has always been at the core of our social responsibility initiatives and this program reinforces that commitment – not only to inspiring youth through aviation, but to developing a high-performing and diverse talent pipeline,” said Monica Newman McCluney, head of Corporate Social Responsibility and the Embraer Foundation for the US. “These students are the future of our industry, and we are honored to provide additional resources to help them grow and succeed.”
Students completing the program receive certifications through ASTM (through NCATT), CertTEC, and SpaceTEC. Many recent program graduates currently work at Embraer as well as pursue military aviation careers, attend the aviation engineering programs at Florida Tech, the University of Central Florida, and other colleges and universities, and seek careers as professional pilots.
Janice Kershaw, President/CEO of Brevard Schools Foundation shared, “Brevard Schools Foundation fills educational funding and opportunity gaps at all our public schools by supporting innovation, engaging communities, and changing lives. This partnership provides a perfect fit for us and for the Aviation training program at Eau Gallie High School. Located in the heart of the Space Coast, working with Embraer Foundation provides us more opportunities to promote STEM-related careers and opportunities that benefit our locally as well across the state and nation.”
Students of the Aviation Training Program at Eau Gallie High School
