A visit from the governor last summer with a $4.4 million grant in hand, made it clear a new aviation airframe and power plant mechanics program is a high priority.

It's now officially off the ground with a lot of key players and effort invested.

It took so many people and so much coordination from the airport to the school to the FAA to how do we set this up?

What do we do?

What are the regulations?

We're super proud of this.

It's truly been a community project.

Everything from equipment being donated to both Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, providing equipment and funding.

We also have the city they involved with it.

In addition, Triumph Gulf Coast, who has all come out to support this project.

There is a reason for all the enthusiasm.

Aviation mechanics are in high demand.

It's a growing industry with a huge need for skilled workers for the initial class of 19 students.

It's a valuable opportunity.

My mom actually found this program because I'd been looking at a couple others, but then this one was like, I got to get in this one.

I haven't seen any other program come through with all this learning environment, with all this hands on learning, it's really cool.

I looked into aviation and I saw that, they had a lot of opportunities for women.

And so I decided that I would try it out.

The program is currently housed in the St engineering hangar at the Pensacola International Airport, with a brand new building to be constructed soon.

Classroom instruction is backed up by some unique hands on experience, from a flight simulator to donated aircraft and tip top equipment.

The resources available are impressive.

I'm like, wow, this is a snap on.

And it's not just that the tassels are brand spanking new.

It's exciting to know that you get the opportunity to put your hands on something here that normally people won't get to experience on, that they're working in the field.

It's probably been one of the coolest things I've ever done.

It's been so fun to apply things I learned in high school.

I learned in college that I can actually put towards a career, that I can build things, take things apart, and put them back together.

40 more students will be accepted in May with further expansion to come.

The 18 month program will certify graduates in a wide variety of areas within aviation, mechanics.

People will be begging for them.

They'll have job offers, you know, like Steve wants to get them, but so does Leonardo's.

So does vertex.

So does, you know, a bunch of different companies.

So sky's the limit for them.

There are a lot of opportunities just because of how broad the field is.

And there's work anywhere.

I feel like once I'm done with the program I'm going to like going, you know, blazing.

And I feel like I'm going to be prepared to do just about anything.