# Nevada Expands Aerospace Workforce Education

Nevada is significantly investing in aerospace workforce development through education programs spanning K-12 to university levels, supported by public and private funding. Key initiatives include the establishment of the George W. Gillemot Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Nevada, Reno with a **$36 million** investment in 2023, the opening of an Aviation Academy at the Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology funded with **$1 million** in 2025, and a **$1.33 million** drone program launched in 2026 for every middle schooler in the Washoe County School District. These efforts align with industry demand forecasts from Boeing and NASA and position Nevada as a growing aerospace hub.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the increasing state and local investments in aerospace education infrastructure, creating opportunities for vendors specializing in educational technology, aerospace training equipment, and curriculum development.
- The involvement of federal agencies like FAA and NASA underscores potential for collaborative funding and program alignment.
- Organizations supporting workforce development can leverage these initiatives to expand aerospace-related contracts and partnerships within Nevada.
- This signals a strategic focus on building a skilled aerospace workforce, which may influence future procurement priorities in aerospace manufacturing and technology sectors within the state.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- University of Nevada, Reno
- Washoe County School District
- Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

### Sources
- [Building Nevada's aviation, drone and aerospace workforce from the classroom up | Opinion](https://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/2026/09/23/building-nevadas-aviation-drone-and-aerospace-workforce-from-the-classroom-up-opinion/91904750007) - rgj.com