Aerium and Hosanna House Launch Aerium West to Expand Aviation Workforce Opportunities Across Pennsylvania
New Partnership Expands Aviation Access for Underserved Communities
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Contact:
Matt CroccoCommunications Director, Aerium
Phone: 412.592.7061 Email: Matt@aerium.org
Johnstown, PA - On Tuesday, October 7th, at the Joint Aerium Fall Summit and Aviation Council of Pennsylvania Annual Conference in Johnstown, Aerium announced the official launch of Aerium West, its first regional Center for Aviation and Aerospace Innovation and Workforce Development. The new center will be located at Hosanna House’s Center for Aviation Technology and Training (CATT) in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.
The announcement marks a major milestone in Pennsylvania’s growing aviation and aerospace ecosystem, bringing together leaders from education, government, and industry. Aerium West will serve as Aerium’s Western Pennsylvania headquarters, expanding access to aviation training, credentialed education pathways, and workforce opportunities for students and adults—particularly in underserved and underrepresented communities.
“This partnership allows us to take our mission to new heights, literally,” said Leon Haynes, Founding Chief Executive Officer of Hosanna House. “Our goal is to address access and opportunity in aviation, particularly for underrepresented communities. Hosanna House has always been about creating pathways to opportunity for our youth. Partnering with Aerium to establish Aerium West allows us to build a bridge between inspiration and employment, giving students in our community the tools, mentors, and credentials they need to thrive in aviation and aerospace careers.”
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The new initiative was recently formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding between Aerium and Hosanna House, establishing a three-year collaboration to strengthen aviation education and workforce pipelines across the Commonwealth. Under the agreement, Aerium West will:
- Serve as a training hub for educators through FAA Part 107 drone certification, simulator integration, and STEM-aligned curriculum workshops.
- Launch a registered apprenticeship pilot program to connect students to industry-recognized credentials and job pathways.
- Develop adult education programs, including upskilling, veteran transition training, and career re-entry opportunities.
- Support the creation of state-approved aviation Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
- Act as Aerium’s primary regional recruiting and workforce development hub, helping identify, connect, and elevate other aviation education programs across Western Pennsylvania while fostering stronger pathways between schools, employers, and industry partners.
According to Glenn Ponas, Executive Director of Aerium, the launch represents a turning point for both the organization and the state. “The launch of Aerium West marks a defining moment for Aerium and for Pennsylvania,” Ponas said. “By aligning education, innovation, and workforce development, we’re showing what’s possible when community organizations and industry partners work together. This model will serve as the foundation for future regional centers across the state—all working to make aviation accessible to every student, in every zip code.”
Anthony McCloskey, Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aviation, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the statewide impact of the collaboration. “The partnership between Aerium and Hosanna House is exactly the kind of collaboration that drives our industry forward,” McCloskey said. “By linking community-based training centers like Hosanna House with curriculum initiatives through Aerium, we’re ensuring that the future of aviation in Pennsylvania is inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. This effort doesn’t just inspire the next wave of pilots, drone operators, and technicians—it strengthens our state’s position as a national leader in aviation education and workforce readiness.”
About Aerium
Aerium is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing aviation and aerospace innovation, education, and workforce development. Through partnerships with schools, universities, and industry, Aerium equips educators and students with the tools, training, and opportunities to pursue successful careers in aviation and unmanned systems.
Learn more at www.aerium.org.
