Fort Lauderdale has agreed to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new workforce development program — all to establish a talent pipeline for the aviation, marine and auto industries. 

On Nov. 18, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted to adopt a resolution to pay out $216,000 to Experience Aviation, a nonprofit with the stated goal of pathing students into STEM fields. The not-for-profit service agreement says that the organization will provide free training to students at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, with the program anticipated to serve up to 200 elementary and middle school students, 120 high school students and 15 adults over an 18-month period, along with 40 more high schoolers in a “specialized skill building program.”

The text of the agreement states that the program will run through the Barrington Irving Technical Training School, affiliated with Experience Aviation via their mutual founder, Barrington Irving, who previously held the record for the youngest person to fly solo around the world. The city will provide Experience Aviation with a lease agreement for a hangar space at the executive airport, with the span of agreement lasting until Nov. 17, 2026, although the city may revoke funds at any point if Experience Aviation violates the set terms.

“FXE depends on a steady pipeline of skilled workers, and this program allows us to build that pipeline right here in our own community," Rufus James, director of the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, told the Business Journal.  "We’re proud to support a program that gives our community of future aviation pioneers meaningful opportunities to succeed.”

South Florida has been suffering from a dearth of workers with desirable technical skills, making it difficult for businesses to fill openings for roles including machinists, welders and fabricators.

"The Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport is one of the top five largest executive airports in the country and supports over 23,000 jobs," read the commission agenda memo regarding the agreement, which came from the office of Rickelle Williams, Fort Lauderdale City Manager. "As the aviation industry faces shortages, there are underutilized talent pools within local communities, especially in Fort Lauderdale. This program will provide a workforce education program that provides jobs for city residents in the aviation, automotive, and marine industries."

Experience Aviation did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Business Journal. 

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