During the Miami-Dade County School Board Meeting on September 11, school board member Mary Blanco presented agenda item H-7, which aims to authorize 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, as well as to seek partnership opportunities at Opa-locka Airport.
The proposed initiative would enable the superintendent to engage with Miami-Dade County to express interest in constructing a campus at Miami Executive Airport and to create a Memorandum of Understanding, if deemed necessary. Additionally, potential funding sources from public and private entities would be explored. Item H-7 also instructs Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to request funding support for this initiative by including it in the 2025 state and federal legislative program priorities.
Furthermore, the item seeks to evaluate the feasibility of forming aviation academic partnerships with Opa-locka Airport and relevant government agencies.
The aviation industry is currently grappling with a substantial workforce shortage, particularly affecting areas such as piloting, maintenance, and technical support, notably with a critical deficiency of aircraft mechanics. The industry requires an annual influx of 10,000 aircraft mechanics, yet existing output lags approximately 30 percent behind demand.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Career Technical Education (CTE) programs are improving the lives of students by preparing them for college and careers through courses and pathways aligned to Career Clusters. CTE graduates acquire valuable academic and technical skills along with industry-recognized certifications that facilitate their transition to higher education and employment. George T. Baker Aviation Technical College stands out as a leading institution in this sector.
Located near Miami International Airport, George T. Baker provides both hands-on training and classroom education. Graduates can expect an average starting salary of around $70,000, with many securing jobs before graduation. The dual enrollment program attracts numerous high school students; however, high demand and location constraints can make attendance challenging.
In light of the growing need for aviation professionals and state support for CTE program expansion, the establishment of a south campus could significantly enhance educational opportunities for students in aviation and aerospace. The proposed campus would be situated within an airport, thereby increasing access for students and helping to meet workforce needs.
Miami Executive Airport (TMB) ranks among Florida’s busiest general aviation airports, located just 15 minutes from the business hubs of South Miami-Dade County and 30 minutes from the newly designated Homestead Spaceport Territory.
“As a school board, we are dedicated to providing our students with diverse education and career pathways,” Blanco stated. “Given that Miami-Dade County is regarded as a hotspot for employment in the rapidly expanding aviation industry, this proposal aims to explore avenues to boost our local talent pool of skilled workers in aviation by enhancing CTE opportunities throughout the county, particularly in South Dade and Opa-locka.”
An update regarding the progress of agenda item H-7 will be presented at the Academics, Innovation, Evaluation, and Technology Committee Meeting scheduled for December.