Daytona Beach, FL - One of the world's largest aerospace companies announces a partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to offer scholarships for future aviators, focusing on women and minorities.
Boeing is establishing a $3 million permanent endowment to assist students interested in getting pilot's licenses and certificates in aviation maintenance.
According to James Roddey, Director of Communications at ERAU, the scholarships will seek to increase the number of underrepresented populations in the aviation workforce. That includes women, persons of color and veterans.
"We're honored to partner with Boeing to provide educational opportunities for a broader spectrum of aspiring aviators," said Roddey.
Almost 610,000 pilots are certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration, and only about 7% are women, according to a study done by Women In Aviation International.
Statistics on other underrepresented groups are limited, but a 2014 report from The Hill suggested that only 2.7% of the nation's airline pilots were people of color, 2.5% were of Asian heritage and 5% were Hispanic or Latino.
That outlook showed that the aviation industry will need 790,000 new civil aviation pilots and 754,000 new maintenance technicians to fly and maintain the world's fleet.
“Boeing and Embry-Riddle share a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said ERAU President Dr. P. Barry Butler. “Like the aviation industry, Embry-Riddle has a truly global presence. To meet future workforce needs and accelerate innovation, it is critical that we tap into the entire potential talent pool."
The announcement was made during the 18th Annual United States Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit.
