PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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This one-year program is designed to educate students on building, programming, and flying unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to perform various missions. Students will learn to fly UAS using various software programming platforms designed to integrate with onboard sensors, autopilots, and GPS. In addition, they will analyze, troubleshoot, and maintain instrumentation and control systems used in constantly evolving drone technology.

Students are trained for the job-seeking process through industry tours and interview prep. Accommodations and modifications are provided to high school students during the program based on the IEP/504.

Learners have the opportunity to belong to a community that helps students discover their potentials and value and explore their skills and abilities.

Licensed instructors help prepare learners for brighter and more promising futures.

After completing the Drone Technology program, successful candidates will be prepared to seek one or more certifications like the UAG Unmanned Aircraft General – Small. Moreover, West-MEC offers most industry credential tests at no additional cost. Students are provided a pathway to economic independence through the Drone Technology training received.

The Drone Technology program is committed to producing highly skilled individuals in unmanned aircraft systems.

CAREER PATHWAYS
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After students receive their certification(s), they will be able to pursue various careers such as: an UAS Operator, Surveying, and Mapping Technician, Cartographer and Photogrammetrists, Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technicians, CTE Teacher.

Some of the industries that can benefit from the use of drone technology include:

Photography and cinematography: Particularly for extreme outdoor shots, aerial views, and physically challenging film scenes
Agriculture: Specifically for agricultural companies and farmers who want to lessen surveying, seeding, and crop dusting expenditures
Sports: Especially drone racing, which has become a world sport in recent years
Advertising and events: Especially for companies looking for aerial video coverage for their projects
Students who complete the training ad achieve the necessary certifications, have a wide range of careers they can pursue. With drone technology becoming more popular, industries will lean on experts to utilize the many benefits drone technology possesses.