Cuesta College secured a competitive grant of approximately $250,000 from Uplift Central Coast to fund a feasibility study for a permanent facility for its high demand Aviation Maintenance Technician (AVMT) program. The funding is part of a $9 million regional initiative supporting economic growth and sustainability across six counties on the Central Coast.
“This grant will empower Cuesta College to continue transforming aviation and aerospace education in our region,” said Cuesta College Superintendent / President Dr. Jill Stearns. “Our vision for a state-of-the-art facility will not only create pathways to high-wage careers but also help address the critical shortage of highly skilled technicians on the Central Coast.”
The project will be a collaborative effort between Cuesta College, Cal Poly SLO, and ACI Jet. This partnership will explore synergies between Cuesta College’s AVMT program and Cal Poly’s Aerospace Engineering program, maximizing shared resources, and creating a regional comprehensive aviation education hub.
Currently operating temporarily at ACI Jet’s facilities, Cuesta College’s AVMT program has already demonstrated substantial success. A new permanent home will enable Cuesta College to:
- Address the increasing demand for skilled aviation, unmanned systems, and urban mobility
- Support the region’s 8.3% projected job growth in aerospace technology and related fields
- Expand access to high-wage technical careers, fostering workforce equity
- Strengthen partnerships with leading industry employers
The grant marks a significant milestone in Uplift Central Coast’s mission to advance economic resilience and equitable growth in the region. Cuesta College’s proposal was among 36 selected projects out of 136 submissions requesting nearly $50 million in total funding.
For more information about Cuesta College’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Program, please visit the Aviation Maintenance Technology webpage or contact Ronnie Overacker at ronnie_overacker@cuesta.edu.
To learn more about Uplift Central Coast and the Catalyst Predevelopment Funding, visit https://upliftcentralcoast.org/.
