Partner Pathway Spotlight: Putnam City Aviation Academy
Strong partnerships between schools and industry are helping more students discover careers in aviation maintenance while building the workforce employers need.
Putnam City Aviation Academy in Oklahoma is one example. Now entering its fifth year, the program continues to expand opportunities for students through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and career-focused instruction. This year, the academy expects to serve approximately 65 students from across the district's three high schools.
The program recently welcomed Robin Kitchens to its instructional team. With experience as a military pilot, aviation maintenance professional, and educator, Kitchens brings additional expertise in avionics, drones, physics, and pre-calculus, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world aviation applications.
Employer partnerships are a key part of the program's success. Students have opportunities to explore aviation careers through job shadowing, internships, and partnerships with organizations including AAR, JetSet, Capital Aviation, and other employers based at Wiley Post Airport. These experiences give students valuable exposure to the industry while helping employers connect with the next generation of aviation professionals.
Programs like Putnam City Aviation Academy demonstrate what's possible when schools, industry, and educators work together to create meaningful career pathways. As demand for aviation maintenance technicians continues to grow, these partnerships help strengthen the workforce pipeline while giving students a clear path from the classroom to rewarding careers.