LAWRENCE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Greater Lawrence Technical High School is launching a new aviation program to teach students aircraft mechanics.
The new program has students working with real airplanes and helicopters, while training them on aircraft systems, flight simulators and different aviation tools.
The program is only the second high school aviation program to be created in the state.
The first high school aviation program was launched back in 2023 at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Boston.
That program also features similar training by using flight simulators and helps create connections for students with industry professionals.
It took Lawrence Tech $7 million to start the program after the school bought four planes, a helicopter, and two new hangars (one bought, the other built).
Superintendent Director John Lavoie said that the expenses are worth it in order to give students a leg up in the industry.
“The students have tremendous opportunity to enter an aviation industry, where there are a lot of job opportunities,” said Lavoie.
Program instructor Johnny Turner is also excited about the program and the opportunities it will create for students.
“By them kind of getting an early start in high school, it puts them so far ahead of people, adults even,” said Turner.
Turner, who’s a plane mechanic himself, said that the industry is heading towards a shortage of workers.
“There’s going to be a major shortage of pilots and aircraft mechanics, so there’s schools that are starting to open up all over the nation, even to the high school level,” said Turner.
The program also gives students internship and networking opportunities with local aviation companies, while readying them for numerous entry-level and professional careers in the aviation industry post high school.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.