DART Awarded CA Jobs First - Uplift Central Coast Catalyst Grant to Advance Aviation Workforce and Infrastructure

MARINA, Calif., Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DART (Drone, Automation, and Robotics Technology) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded funding through the CA Jobs First - Uplift Central Coast Catalyst Program to accelerate workforce development and infrastructure planning in the region's rapidly growing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector.

This investment directly supports DART's "Advancing Central Coast AAM Ecosystem: Jobs and Infrastructure" initiative, which will expand career pathways in aviation maintenance, strengthen regional airspace infrastructure, and bring together industry leaders at the LIFT Summit on March 26-28, 2025, at the Monterey Conference Center.

"This award is a major milestone in our commitment to building an inclusive and future-ready aviation workforce while ensuring the Central Coast is prepared for the next generation of air mobility," said Josh Metz, DART Executive Director. "We are excited to expand our efforts with Joby Aviation, regional education partners, and other industry leaders to create new opportunities and strengthen our region's position in the AAM industry."

"Our collaboration in partnership with DART and Joby Aviation is the culmination of multiple years of strategic alignment of programs in PVUSD to the emerging regional Advanced Air Mobility sector. Our students completing PVUSD's Land, Sea, Air, and Space CTE pathway will be well-positioned to succeed in this apprenticeship program and future initiatives that result from our collaborative work," said Dr. Heather Contreras, Superintendent of Schools, Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

Key Project Initiatives:

• Aircraft Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship (AMTA) Pilot – DART will collaborate with Joby Aviation to launch an FAA-aligned apprenticeship program focused on electric aircraft maintenance, ensuring a steady pipeline of trained technicians from feeder institutions such as Gavilan College, Hartnell College, Cuesta College, and Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
  
  
• AAM Infrastructure Planning – The project will expand DART's ongoing work in critical infrastructure development by leading a regional feasibility study for a vertiport network, building on insights from the 2024 SOAR AAM Readiness Assessment in partnership with Skyway, local airports, and municipalities.
  
  
• LIFT Summit 2025 – DART will convene industry leaders, policymakers, and workforce stakeholders at the LIFT Summit on March 26-28, 2025, at the Monterey Conference Center. The event will highlight cutting-edge aerospace innovations, workforce training programs, and infrastructure investments aimed at positioning the Central Coast as a global leader in AAM.

Catalyst for Regional Growth

DART's work aligns with CA Jobs First's mission to drive inclusive economic development, ensuring equitable access to high-quality jobs and sustainable infrastructure investments. The Catalyst Predevelopment Funding will enable DART and its partners to position the region for future public and private investment in workforce training and AAM infrastructure.

"We are honored to receive this Catalyst funding and look forward to working closely with Uplift Central Coast, our industry partners, and regional stakeholders to shape the future of aviation in California," added Metz.

For more information on DART's programs, workforce initiatives, and the upcoming LIFT Summit, visit www.mbdart.org.

SOURCE Monterey Bay DART