Preparing Nevada's Workforce for UAS Industry Jobs

Press Release

Today Congresswoman Dina Titus participated in an Aviation Subcommittee roundtable with representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry to discuss issues surrounding the federal UAS program kicking off in Nevada and five other locations across the country. On December 30, 2013, the FAA announced that Nevada was one of six sites selected for a federal program designed to integrate UAS into the national airspace for commercial purposes.

Congresswoman Titus, Professor Emeritus at UNLV, discussed the need to prepare students and the workforce for jobs in the UAS industry in parallel with the federal regulatory program currently underway.

"Unmanned vehicle systems hold untold commercial applications. It is vital that, whether we are discussing the UAS program or autonomous vehicles, Nevada schools are at the forefront of training the designers, programmers, pilots, and mechanics needed to develop, operate, and maintain these systems. I will be working with our state and local partners, academic institutions, and industry players to ensure we are doing just that.

"We need to be ahead of the curve when it comes to preparing our workforce to participate and succeed in this exciting industry."

The University of Nevada -- Las Vegas is a member of the statewide coalition that successfully secured the test-site designation. Last year, UNLV announced that it is developing a minor degree program in UAS. Congresswoman Titus sees the need for public-private partnerships with industry working closely with our colleges, universities, trade schools, and K-12 school districts to give students the skills necessary to enter into this promising field.

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