Monterey Bay DART and Hartnell College Launch Drone and Aerospace Program
Image credit: Monterey Bay DART
Hartnell College and Monterey Bay DART (Drone Automation & Robotics Technology) have launched a groundbreaking two-year regional workforce initiative designed to connect Central Coast residents with high-paying careers in drones, aerospace, and advanced aviation.
The initiative, named the Maturing Regional AgTech and Aerospace Job Readiness Pathways (MsUAS Pathways) program, is funded by a generous grant from the James Irvine Foundation. It aims to create clear entry points into a rapidly growing sector, specifically targeting 150 participants across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties over the next two years.
A primary goal of the program is ensuring at least 50 participants earn their FAA Part 107 certification—the essential federal credential required for commercial drone operations.
Bridging the Equity Gap in Tech
The MsUAS Pathways program is intentionally designed to reach underserved communities, including first-generation college students, veterans, and military-connected learners who may not traditionally see themselves in aerospace careers.
"Advanced aviation is creating new opportunities, but long-term success depends on making sure communities are connected to those opportunities through practical workforce preparation, accessible training, and direct pathways into employment," said Josh Metz, Executive Director of Monterey Bay DART.
Five Strategic Workstreams for Success
The initiative is organized into five coordinated workstreams to seamlessly transition participants from early exposure to direct employment:
Community College Drone Education: Hartnell College and DART are developing a standalone FAA Part 107 course and integrating drone curriculum into STEM and AgTech programs. Monterey Peninsula College is also launching pilot pathways at its Seaside and Marina campuses.
Community-Based Pathways: Partnering with local schools in Seaside to create accessible technical career entry points for youth and adults facing employment barriers.
Veteran & Military-Connected Pathways: Leveraging local connections to the Naval Postgraduate School and Defense Language Institute to translate military experience into civilian aerospace opportunities.
Direct Employer Engagement: Strengthening ties with regional employers in agriculture, construction, public safety, and advanced air mobility—including collaboration with local aviation pioneer Joby Aviation.
Long-Term Sustainability: Focus on program evaluation and future funding to extend the initiative beyond the initial grant period.
A Unified Regional Effort
To maximize impact, the program is tightly coordinated with the UC Santa Cruz CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (CIDER), aligning local efforts with broader statewide curriculum development.
This initiative builds on Monterey Bay DART’s robust regional strategy, which was recently highlighted at their annual LIFT Summit in Monterey. The event brought together over 250 advanced air mobility leaders to discuss workforce development and the booming low-altitude economy.
As advanced aviation takes off across California, this partnership ensures the Central Coast community isn't just watching from the sidelines, but leading the flight.
Contact: For more information on how to get involved, visit mbdart.org.
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