Massport, Heart of New England Council and Worcester Community Partners Launch Aviation Career Education Program at Worcester Airport

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and Heart of New England Council, Scouting America have announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Worcester Public Schools (WPS), marking a significant milestone for the City and a new chapter for Scouting in the region. The collaborative initiative represents one of the first middle school-focused curriculum of its kind in the country. The program is expected to launch January 29, 2025.

The Exploring Aviation Careers program will take place at Worcester Regional Airport, which is owned and operated by Massport, during the first half of 2025 and will educate middle school students from Worcester Public Schools about a variety of aviation careers and career pathways. The students will be introduced to all aspects of the aviation industry through professionals from Massport, Atlantic Aviation, and the airlines that service the Worcester Regional Airport, including JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines. This collaboration aims to inform and inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts, providing unique opportunities for students to explore careers in aviation and related fields.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester Public Schools, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, and our aviation stakeholders,” said Patrick Hanrahan, Director of Development at the Heart of New England Council, Scouting America. "This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to prepare young people for life by providing them with valuable skills and experiences. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on our community.”
On January 14 and 16, students will take a field trip to Worcester Regional Airport to familiarize themselves with the airport and learn more about the program overall. Media is invited to attend the January 16 session. 

“Massport is thrilled to partner with the organizations on the Exploring Aviation Careers program at Worcester Regional Airport,” said Worcester Regional Airport Director Andy Davis. “This program is an excellent opportunity to showcase aviation careers and inspire the next generation of Massachusetts’ workforce to pursue professions in this growing industry.”

“The Chamber is excited to partner with the Worcester Public Schools, Heart of New England Council, Scouting America, and Massport on the Exploring Aviation Careers program at Worcester Regional Airport,” said Timothy P. Murray, President & CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This program is creating a career avenue, right here in our city, for our students to explore as they prepare to enter the workforce.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our middle school scholars to explore their passions and discover potential career paths,” said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools. “Thanks to this partnership with Worcester Regional Airport and other valued partners, our scholars will have real-world experiences that inspire them to reach new heights. It allows them to become problem solvers, curious learners, and empowered individuals — all traits of our district's Vision of a Learner framework.”
Exploring is a unique career exploration program for young people ages 10–20, connecting them with the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of career fields and meet other youth with similar interests and aspirations. Explorers gain real, hands-on experience to determine whether a particular career field is right for them, and are provided opportunities to network with professionals working in those fields. The vast majority of Exploring participants do not have a Scouting background. Exploring programs equip young people with the skills and experiences needed to thrive in the workforce.

About Massachusetts Port Authority
Powering What’s Possible. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. For more information, please visit massport.com.

About Heart of New England Council, Scouting America
Heart of New England Council is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves about 4,000 boys and girls in more than 60 communities in central Massachusetts. We provide the nation’s foremost program that teaches young people character, leadership, and citizenship through fun and exciting adventures for the entire family. We foster a culture of diversity and inclusion that makes it enriching to participate, volunteer and work in the Scouting program. Visit www.hnescouting.org for more information. 
About Worcester Chamber of Commerce

The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber in New England representing over 2,000 members from all industries and of all sizes located in a service area of over 40 cities and towns and other communities in Central Mass. and beyond. The organization serves the region’s business community through public policy advocacy, educational and networking events, and economic development efforts. Worcester’s affiliates are Auburn, Blackstone Valley, Central Mass. South, Clinton Area, LABO, Wachusett Area, and Webster Dudley Oxford. For more info, visit: https://www.worcesterchamber.org.
About Worcester Public Schools

The Worcester Public Schools serves nearly 25,000 students in grades K-12 with additional programming for preschoolers and adults. As the second-largest district in New England, WPS has a variety of offerings to serve scholars of all backgrounds. For the past several years it has had one of the highest graduation rates among urban districts in the state.