During the Miami-Dade County School Board Meeting on September 11, board member Mary Blanco introduced agenda item H-7, which seeks to empower the Superintendent of Schools to investigate the possibility of establishing a George T. Baker Aviation and Aerospace Technical College South Dade Campus at Miami Executive Airport in southwest Kendall, while also exploring partnership possibilities at Opa-locka Airport.
This proposed initiative would allow the superintendent to communicate with Miami-Dade County about the desire to develop a campus at Miami Executive Airport. If deemed appropriate, a Memorandum of Understanding and other necessary documents would be created. The plan also includes pursuing funding from public and private sources to support this initiative and directs Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to incorporate the funding request into the state and federal legislative program priorities for 2025.
Additionally, the item requests an evaluation of potential aviation academic partnerships with Opa-locka Airport and relevant government agencies.
Currently, the aviation industry is facing a severe workforce shortage, particularly among pilots and mechanics. The U.S. sector is grappling with a critical gap in aircraft mechanics, with a pressing need to hire 10,000 mechanics each year—currently falling short by approximately 30 percent.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Career Technical Education (CTE) program plays a pivotal role in preparing students for both college and careers through specialized study programs and career pathways within various Career Clusters. CTE graduates gain essential academic and technological skills along with industry-recognized certifications, facilitating their transition to higher education and the workforce. George T. Baker Aviation Technical College is recognized as a leading institution in this field.
Located near Miami International Airport, George T. Baker offers practical training alongside classroom education. Graduates from Baker typically earn an average starting salary of around $70,000, with many securing jobs even before graduation. The dual enrollment program at Baker is highly desirable among high school students, but the high demand can limit accessibility.
Given the growing need for workers in the aviation and aerospace sectors, along with state support for the expansion of CTE programs and the success of George T. Baker, the establishment of a south campus would enhance opportunities for students to acquire modern skills in these fields. A campus at Miami Executive Airport would not only expand educational prospects for local students but also help address workforce shortages.
Miami Executive Airport (TMB) is among Florida’s busiest general aviation airports, situated just 15 minutes from major business hubs in South Miami-Dade County and 30 minutes from the recently designated Homestead Spaceport Territory.
“As a school board, we are dedicated to providing our students with diverse education-to-career pathways,” Blanco stated. “With Miami-Dade County recognized as a key area for employment in the rapidly expanding aviation industry, this proposal aims to explore ways to enhance our local talent pool of skilled aviation workers by broadening career and technical education opportunities throughout the county, especially in the South Dade and Opa-locka regions.”
An update on agenda item H-7 will be presented at the Academics, Innovation, Evaluation, and Technology Committee Meeting scheduled for December.