North Valley Occupational Center’s Aviation Summer Camp
Submitted By: Francisco Narciso
Los Angeles Regional Adult Education Consortium
Website: https://www.nvoc.org/
Type of Practice: Learner Transition
Program Area(s): ABE / ASE, ESL / EL Civics / Citizenship, CTE / Workforce Prep / Pre-apprenticeship, Adults with Disabilities
Region: Los Angeles Basin
Consortia Involved: Los Angeles Regional Adult Education Consortium
The Program of Practice
Many high school graduates are unaware of the adult education aviation programs available to them. This lack of awareness results in missed opportunities for training, certification, and employment in a high-demand aviation field that sees 12,800 Aircraft Maintenance Technicia (AMT) openings annually. Teacher shortages, limited summer staffing, and low visibility compounded the issue. The need to build equitable access, especially for high school students and underrepresented groups such as women, was urgent to sustain and expand a critical workforce development pathway.
The Response
To address these challenges, North Valley Occupational Center (NVOC) launched a Summer Aviation Camp through a partnership with a local high school and local industry partner. The camp focused on increasing high school student awareness of aviation careers while building a pipeline into adult education programs. It included hands-on experiences like engine repair, taxiing aircraft, and math-based instruction in topics such as bend allowance. Industry partners—including Vista Aviation, Clay Lacy Aviation, and Gulf Stream—spoke to students and provided facility tours. The program aimed to recruit more teachers, improve summer staffing, and focus on equity, particularly encouraging female student participation in a male-dominated industry.
The NVOC Summer Aviation Camp is an equity-driven career technical education (CTE) program that introduces students who are finishing high school and will potentially become adult school students in aviation career pathways through a partnership with a local high school and local industry partners. This career pathway initiative supports NVOC’s value and interest in the local community. Students receive hands-on instruction, industry exposure, and employability skills. This initiative aligns with CAEP’s goals by promoting gainful employment and planting seeds for future (AMT) careers among diverse student populations. The program is being replicated across all four LAUSD regions in 2025. Other agencies can adopt this approach by leveraging local partnerships, aligning with workforce demands, and creating early exposure pathways to high-growth fields like aviation.
The Unique Features of the Program
The NVOC Summer Aviation Camp offers students the chance to “drive a plane before driving a car,” giving them access to real hangars, aviation executives, and career-specific learning like reciprocating and turbine engines. With female enrollment reaching 50%, the program addresses gender gaps in aviation maintenance. Unlike traditional summer programs, it incorporates guest speakers, worksite visits, and hands-on technical training, all within FAA enrollment caps. Students gain direct pathways into AMT roles, with opportunities to test for FAA certifications and secure high-paying positions. Employability is emphasized, promoting skill development and career readiness.
The Outcome
Of the 30 high school students enrolled in the summer program, 24 completed the program—three of whom were immediately eligible to enter the adult education aviation program. Two have already secured jobs with Vista and Clay Lacy Aviation. Since 2015, 55% of adult program completers earned their FAA licenses and now work in the aviation industry. Enrollment quadrupled for the summer program, with 140 students applying for the 2025 cohort. The program’s focus on multiple career pathways, equity, and industry partnerships provides students with meaningful employment opportunities and ongoing community support.