Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Career Technical Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lively Technical College aviation program highlights pipeline to high-paying jobs
Summary
Leon County School Board spotlighted Lively Technical College’s aviation maintenance and flight programs, featuring alumni success stories and a call for expanded local industry partnerships and capacity to keep graduates in the region.
The Leon County School Board on May 13 heard a superintendent spotlight on Lively Technical College’s aviation program, where instructor Rutledge Fuller and program alumni described career pathways that often lead to six-figure salaries and out-of-area placements.
Board members and district leaders were introduced to alumni Simon Buboles and Jefferson Prophet, who described earning certifications through Lively and moving into paid aviation work. Rutledge Fuller, identified in the meeting as Lively’s lead aviation instructor and a former program student, told the board the program typically graduates about 50–60 students a year and that the program currently accepts roughly 17 students for each August and December cohort because of a required 25-to-1 teacher-to-student ratio. Fuller said program graduates can expect to earn about $90,000 a year in some pathways and cited an example pay rate of $43.06 an hour at American Airlines for one recruiter’s hires.
Fuller asked the district and economic development partners to help bring aviation employers to the area so graduates can find local jobs instead of relocating. He said Lively recently acquired several training aircraft and a helicopter that students can work on, and that the program uses district and other funds to purchase training aids; he thanked the district for allowing purchases with what he called “Golf Triomp money.”
Board member Daryl Jones asked Fuller about enrollment and expected graduates; Fuller restated the 17-student intake per term and the roughly 50–60 annual graduates. Board members and the superintendent praised the program’s role in career preparation and noted Lively’s lower tuition compared with some private programs, which Fuller said can charge $40,000–$90,000 for similar training.
Fuller described a varied student body, including adult learners, and said the program has operated since 1940. He also described students’ hands-on work building training aids and maintaining aircraft. Several board members encouraged outreach to potential industry partners and employers to retain more graduates locally.
Board members did not take formal action on the spotlight, but several said they would follow up on Fuller’s request for help connecting employers to the program.
