Aerospace industry growth brings new career training opportunities to South Florida high school students

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Florida’s aerospace industry has long been connected with major launches and operations at Cape Canaveral, but the growing sector is now creating new opportunities much farther south. In South Florida, schools, businesses and state leaders are working together to prepare students for careers in aviation, engineering and space-related industries before they even finish high school.

The effort comes as aerospace companies continue expanding across the state and demand for skilled workers increases. With aerospace engineering careers offering strong salaries — the median annual wage for aerospace engineers in Florida is about $134,830 — officials say building a future workforce has become a major priority.

Starting in the upcoming school year, 951 students from nine Broward County high schools will become the first participants in the new Space Florida Academy. The program is a partnership between Space Florida, the state agency responsible for supporting Florida’s aerospace and space industry, and Broward County Public Schools.

The goal of the academy is to connect classroom learning directly with real career opportunities in a rapidly growing industry.

“It’s creating a direct pathway from our classrooms to the space industry,” said Loli Formoso, director of career, technical, adult, and community education for the district.

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The participating schools already offer aerospace and engineering programs. However, the new academy is designed to strengthen those programs by adding more industry involvement, career preparation and opportunities for students to earn certifications recognized by employers.

Students will have the chance to test for an industry certificate and gain access to Orbit, a job portal used by companies in aerospace and related fields to recruit graduates. School officials say the program is meant to make sure students are learning skills that match the needs of today’s employers.

“Those programs are offering everything that they need to offer for the jobs that are available in those sectors,” Formoso said. “So even though we had those programs, it’s making sure everything we’re doing matches what the industry needs.”

Broward County already has a strong aviation presence, making it a natural location for the workforce initiative. According to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, the county had 626 aviation and aerospace companies in 2025, compared with 588 in 2020.

Much of the region’s aviation growth has focused on aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul rather than building complete aircraft. David Coddington, senior vice president of business development at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, said the region plays an important role in keeping aircraft operating around the world.

“We don’t build the planes here, but we maintain, repair and overhaul a bunch of parts that make up the plane,” said Coddington.

He highlighted the scale of the industry by pointing to the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft.

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“There are only two places on the planet those engines get serviced: Dubai and Coral Springs, Florida,” he said. “We’re trying to grow the pie of workforce here because the aviation industry is expanding so rapidly that it’s outpaced the pipeline of students coming out of the technical colleges.”

Industry leaders say workforce availability is one of the biggest concerns for companies deciding where to expand. Space Florida President and CEO Robert Long said businesses often ask about whether enough skilled workers will be available.

“One of the things we hear most from companies that are looking to grow, expand, move into the state, is ‘Where’s the workforce going to come from?’” Long said. “And we know generally that highly skilled technical labor is always in high demand … It’s a focus of ours to try to make sure that we’re closing any talent gaps that are out there.”

Space Florida was established through the Space Florida Act of 2006, which combined several previous state space organizations into one agency focused on growing the industry. Since its creation, Long said the agency’s efforts have helped contribute to about $6 billion in gross economic impact across Florida.

Officials believe aerospace careers can provide a pathway to financial stability for many students. Along with engineering positions, the industry offers opportunities in technical fields, manufacturing support, maintenance and other specialized roles.

“Communities are interested in those types of wages,” Long said. “And the aerospace industry provides a lot of opportunities to do that.”

Broward County is not alone in preparing students for aerospace careers. Palm Beach County has also developed its own school-based aerospace program as South Florida continues building a pipeline of workers for an industry expected to keep expanding.

As more aerospace companies look toward Florida for growth, education leaders say early career training will be essential. Programs like the Space Florida Academy are designed to give students a head start, connecting them with employers and helping create the next generation of workers who will support the state’s aviation and space industries.