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Commission backs K‑12 aviation grants and new internship program as state builds aerospace workforce
Summary
The commission approved classroom lab grants for multiple high schools, awarded a new internship grant round to industry and museum partners, and highlighted Westmoore High School as the winner of the Oklahoma High School Aviation State Championship.
The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission on March 11 approved a suite of education and workforce investments: classroom lab‑improvement grants for high schools, and a new internship grant program designed to subsidize employer internships across the aerospace sector.
Paula presented outcomes from recent K‑12 events — including the first statewide Oklahoma High School Aviation Championship at Tulsa Community College, where Westmoore High School took the state title — and recommended lab‑improvement grants for several districts. The recommended grants include equipment and facility upgrades for Burns Flat, Shoto Mazy, Cushing, El Reno, Haworth, Jenks, Tupelo and Watonga; staff described awards ranging from classroom furniture and simulators to HVAC and electrical upgrades for shop space.
Paula also introduced a new internship grant program that subsidizes employer internship wages on a 50% cost‑share basis. The commission approved recommended awards to a mix of employers and museum entities — including a $25,000 recommendation for aircraft and military component repair in Harrah, $25,000 for Infinite Composites, $25,000 for Lufthansa Technic component services, smaller awards for airport and museum placements, and other employer grants — with the department requiring employer match and program reporting. Paula told commissioners staff will monitor projects with receipts and site visits.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the investments build the talent pipeline that local industry and career‑tech programs are beginning to produce, noting thousands of students enrolled in AOPA coursework statewide and increasing demand for post‑secondary training and industry internships. Paula said the program will help schools scale simulators and lab capacity and place students in on‑the‑job learning.
Next steps: Grant recipients must provide receipts and will be subject to site verification; internship awardees will coordinate placement and reporting with the department so the agency can track workforce outcomes as students move into post‑secondary or industry employment.
