Aerium Reaches 13,425 Pennsylvania Students Through Pennsylvania Department of Education Grants and EITC Support
Public and private dollars combine to train 1,336 educators and bring aviation programs to 76 schools and career centers
Media Contact: Matt Crocco, Communications Director, Aerium
Phone: 412.592.7061
Email: Matt@aerium.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2026
Reading, Pa. – Aerium, the Johnstown-based nonprofit building Pennsylvania's aviation and aerospace workforce, has reached 13,425 students across the Commonwealth since July 2023 by combining two sources of support: Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) workforce grants and business contributions through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. In the same period, Aerium trained 1,336 educators, worked directly with 76 schools and career and technical centers to build aviation programs, and, through outreach, conferences, planning sessions, and partnerships with national aviation organizations, has impacted over 100 schools.
“Nearly a decade ago, I sat in a room with Dr. Larry Nulton brainstorming ideas to utilize our airport, promote aviation education and increase workforce development in our region. Now, to see it reaching over 13,000 students and school across Pennsylvania is remarkable,” said Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35). “Aerium has turned that conversation into real opportunity for students and real talent for our employers while positioning our airport at the forefront of the state."
The two funding streams do different jobs. PDE Job Training and Education Programs grants pay for the statewide work: training teachers, helping schools plan and launch aviation programs, career events and drone demonstrations, and connecting students to the Aviation Maintenance Training School at Saint Francis University. EITC contributions put equipment in classrooms, including FAA-approved flight simulators, drone kits, FAA exam prep software, and the sheet metal, welding equipment, and protective gear students use in hands-on aviation maintenance training.
"Aviation is one of the clearest examples of what a strong career pathway can look like in Pennsylvania," said Judd Pittman, Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Career and Technical Education. "Students can start in a high school classroom, earn industry credentials and move into jobs that pay well and are in demand across the Commonwealth. Partners like Aerium help schools build those pathways."
Three Job training grants account for 10,326 students, 1,284 educators and 31 schools that added aviation programs. Pennsylvania businesses have contributed $480,000 to Aerium through EITC since 2023, supporting programming that has reached 3,099 students, 52 teachers and 45 schools.
In addition to program development, Aerium also directly funds students’ career journeys through its scholarship program. In summer 2026, Aerium awarded $30,000 in scholarships to eight high school and college students to pursue postsecondary and flight training. “Knowing that organizations like yours believe in students like me is extremely encouraging and motivating,” said scholarship recipient Ava Sitko, a student at Eastern Mennonite University in Lancaster. “Your support not only helps financially, but it also reminds me to keep pushing forward and continue working hard toward my goals.”
National aviation education organizations also recognize Aerium’s value. "Pennsylvania is rapidly becoming a national leader in aviation education, and Aerium is a big reason why," said Kelly Filgo, Director of Operations of Choose Aerospace. "When there is statewide leadership such as Aerium to help schools, plan programs, train teachers, and line up equipment, they launch faster and they stick with it. That's what we're seeing across the Commonwealth and the nation."
As Aerium’s footprint grows, so does the need for funding. "State grants pay for the statewide work. Tax credit-based donations from businesses through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit, or EITC, have been invaluable because they let us move quickly,” said Glenn Ponas, Aerium's Executive Director. “When a school and a donor are ready, we can help them plan the program, train the teacher, and put equipment in the classroom without waiting on the next budget cycle. That's how a program becomes self-sustaining, and how it grows from one classroom to many."
"Aerium has shown what happens when public dollars and private investment pull in the same direction," said Mike Herrera, Executive Director of Upper Bucks County Technical School in Perkasie, PA and ACTE National Board of Directors Member and Vice President of ACTE Region 1. "More students across Pennsylvania are seeing aviation as a real career, and employers are going to need every one of them."
The need is growing. North America is short about 9,100 certificated aircraft mechanics this year, a gap projected to reach 20,000 by 2030. Boeing projects the region will need 122,000 new pilots and 125,000 new technicians over the next two decades. Most aviation and aerospace jobs do not require a four-year degree.
"Companies like ours need drone pilots, technicians and engineers, and we want to hire them here in Pennsylvania," said Denver Hopkins, CEO of Horizon Aerobotics. "Students coming through Aerium's programs are getting hands-on experience years earlier than they used to. That gives us a talent pipeline we can build on."
Aerium thanks PDE, the business partners who support its EITC programs, and the educators who bring aviation into their classrooms.
About Aerium
Aerium drives innovation in aviation and aerospace by supporting emerging businesses and developing the skilled workforce needed for today and the future. Through strategic partnerships, Aerium positions Pennsylvania as a national leader in aviation and aerospace by: accelerating the commercialization of next-generation technologies, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), and crewed aircraft, and training the professionals who will build, operate, and sustain them.
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