Students explore aviation careers with the help of ILM, Avelo and Chamber of Commerce

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than a dozen middle school students getting the chance to fly into a potential career path.

Avelo Airlines, Wilmington International Airport and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce coming together to give the students a first-hand look at the aviation industry. ILM Airport Director Jeff Bourk said the partnership is a unique learning tool.

“What we’re really trying to do is bring them on the journey from start to finish on a flight, and all of the different jobs that they come across during that process. We took them on a tour of baggage, outbound baggage, we showed them inbound baggage. We showed them ground crew, maintenance, aircraft rescue firefighters. All that stuff and then they get on the flight and they learn about the pilots of course.”

Students flew from Wilmington to Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. According to students Aylah Hall and Kathryn Schoizk, it’s was a great experience.

“It was really cool to like, get on a plane and go to Florida for this program basically,” said Hall.

“Yeah, it’s given me like better ideas of what happens here and like if I could want to do this as a career,” said Schoizk.

Wilmington Chamber of Commerce CEO Natalie English said programs like this could benefit the future workforce.

“The important part is we’re helping develop the future workforce. So, the employees in our community, our partners, host these groups throughout the school year and they can build relationships.”