USI Partners With Dallas College To Offer Drone Workforce Development Program For Today's Rapidly Changing Aerospace Marketplace

The new program will produce industry ready candidates, holding widely recognized USI Certifications, for the fast-growing drone marketplace in Texas and throughout the country., USI partner to drive pipeline to drone workforce readiness.

Panama City, FL, February 20, 2025 — The adoption of drone technology by public safety, countless commercial industry segments, military and government organizations, and the general public has created a large need for educated, trained and certified drone operators and other related positions throughout the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ecosystem.  Additionally, the north Texas marketplace has become a hot bed for proof-of-concept activities related to consumer drone delivery services, powered by industry leaders Zipline®, Google’s Wing®, WalMart®, and others.  The Dallas/Ft. Worth test market is designed to provide real world operations and data that will assist the FAA in developing Universal Traffic Management (UTM) rules that will allow widespread drone operations around the country without special authorizations or expensive ground-based infrastructure.

USI President and CEO, Josh Olds, remarked: “We spent the greater part of 2024 getting to know Dallas College, their staff, and management team.  It was incredibly impressive to witness firsthand the passion that they all carry related to developing and offering programs that provide their students with job ready knowledge and skills that will translate into exciting and rewarding career opportunities.” Olds added, “The drone industry is evolving in front of our eyes, and the FAA is working hard to establish rules and regulations designed to safely allow these aircraft to perform more complex and valuable missions for their operators.  These new regulations will further accelerate the growth of the UAS industry and the need for skilled workers. USI certifications are aligned with FAA requirements and additionally they are consistent with internationally recognized best practices standards and endorsed by aviation insurance underwriters.  USI uses the exact same training and certification program for our commercial customers, which translates into immediate recognition and respect when they review applications for new drone staff members.”

“Dallas College has built a strong reputation for providing accessible, high-quality educational opportunities that empower individuals and support workforce needs, driving regional and national economic growth,” said Dr. Shawnda Floyd, provost at Dallas College. “We are so pleased to be partnering with USI to provide this new drone program that will produce industry ready candidates for the emerging aerospace industry.”  

Dallas College will be offering a series of free introductory programs designed to allow participants to prepare for their FAA Part 107 Certification, a requirement for anyone operating drones in a commercial environment.  The first workshop starts April 7, 2025. For more information and to register, visit: www.UASBootcamp.com. 

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About Dallas College

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, Dallas College consists of seven campuses — Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland — plus a dozen centers located throughout Dallas County. As one of the largest community colleges in the U.S., Dallas College offers online and in-person learning, serving more than 127,000 credit, workforce and continuing education students annually. Students benefit from partnerships with local school districts, four-year universities, industry and community leaders. Dallas College offers associate degrees and career/technical certificate programs in more than 100 areas of study, as well as bachelor’s degrees in education and nursing. As the largest provider of dual credit in Texas, Dallas College serves 30,000 high school students through 63 dual credit programs.

Learn more at www.DallasCollege.edu 

Media Contact: C.C. Gonzalez-Kurz, CGonzalezKurz@DallasCollege.edu

 

 

About USI

Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) is the industry’s most widely recognized leader in flight safety solutions for individuals, academia and organizations focused on integrating and operating UAS for civil or commercial purposes. USI provides UAS flight safety training and certification to operational standards based on the adoption and modification of time-honored aviation safety practices. 

With more than 300 instructors and over 20,000 USI Certifications awarded around the world, USI works with large commercial enterprises and nearly 500 schools in all 50 states. USI is the global leader in commercial and academic UAS training and certification, delivering the most highly regarded training program of its kind. USI offers Primary, Advanced and Complex training and certification programs that are applicable to VLOS, BVLOS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.

USI’s training and certification programs are endorsed by major aviation insurance providers and implemented nationwide as a workforce pathway program from secondary or post-secondary to the career field to align skill sets to industry pay scales.

Discover more at www.FlyUSI.org. 

 

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Drone Education: Creating Pathways to Industry

Pitsco Education, USI partner to drive pipeline to drone workforce readiness.

Panama City, FL, November 14, 2024 — USI (the Unmanned Safety Institute), a pioneering force in the commercial drone industry, and Pitsco Education, a leader in innovative education solutions since 1971, are excited to announce a strategic partnership aimed at bridging the gap between education and the workforce. This collaboration's unique continuum prepares students, from elementary to high school and beyond, for dynamic career opportunities after graduation via in-school engagement and certifications.

Pitsco's expertise in preK-12 education brings drone hardware and standards-aligned, hands-on activities to the table, making the learning experience accessible even to children as young as eight years old. Meanwhile, USI's background in commercial drone training, offering FAA Part 107 certification preparation as well as maintenance, safety, and flight training, leading to USI's highly desired industry recognized credentials, enables this partnership to truly take flight. Together, they form a pathway that leads students to industry -- establishing a pipeline from elementary school all the way to adult professional development and advancement.

Through hands-on instruction and real-world experience, students will gain valuable insight into the commercial applications of drones, from technician roles, trainers, and professionals in aerial photography, surveying, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and many more.

"We are thrilled to partner with USI to offer students an unprecedented opportunity to explore careers in the drone industry," said Matt Frankenbery, Pitsco Education CEO. "This program is about more than just technical skills; it's about giving students a head start in their drone careers and introducing them to the many options out there."

The USI program offered through Pitsco is available for educators and students in high school and beyond. They'll be able to earn certifications in drone operation and safety, recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Students and educators alike will get "stick time," that is, log actual flight hours while studying for certification, providing them with real-world experience and a competitive edge as future job applicants.

"Drones are transforming industries around the world, and we are committed to helping the next generation of professionals enter this exciting field," USI President and CEO, Josh Olds, stated. "By working with Pitsco, we're creating a pathway for students to pursue meaningful careers right out of high school, equipped with the skills and certifications they need to succeed."

USI and Pitsco's partnership represents a forward-thinking approach to education and workforce development, aligning academic programs with industry demands and providing students with tangible career opportunities. As the drone industry continues to expand, this initiative will play a crucial role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow.

Highlights/Multimedia:

 - Learn more about Pitsco Education, LLC: Pitsco.com
 - Learn more about USI: FlyUSI.org
 - Shop drones: Pitsco.com/Drones
 

About Pitsco Education

As a leading provider of K-12 core science, CTE, and hands-on STEM curriculum, Pitsco Education empowers students to develop career-ready skills essential for the future. Their solutions incorporate real-world applications and industry-standard tools, bridging academic learning with practical career pathways. Through their diverse range of products, interactive activities, standards-aligned curriculum, and scalable resources, Pitsco creates engaging and meaningful learning experiences that enhance student involvement and promote lasting academic success.

 

About USI

Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) is the industry’s most widely recognized leader in flight safety solutions for individuals, academia and organizations focused on integrating and operating UAS for civil or commercial purposes. USI provides UAS flight safety training and certification to operational standards based on the adoption and modification of time-honored aviation safety practices. 

With more than 300 instructors and over 20,000 USI Certifications awarded around the world, USI works with large commercial enterprises and nearly 500 schools in all 50 states. USI is the global leader in commercial and academic UAS training and certification, delivering the most highly regarded training program of its kind. USI offers Primary, Advanced and Complex training and certification programs that are applicable to VLOS, BVLOS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.

USI’s training and certification programs are endorsed by major aviation insurance providers and implemented nationwide as a workforce pathway program from secondary or post-secondary to the career field to align skill sets to industry pay scales.

Discover more at www.FlyUSI.org. 

 

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USI Job Opportunity: Maintenance Manager & Instructor

 

USI is looking to hire a Maintenance Manager / Instructor based in Panama City, FL.

 

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USI Job Opportunity: Project Lead / Flight Instructor

 

USI is looking to hire a Project Lead / Flight Instructor based within an hour of PHX.

 

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USI Job Opportunity: Compliance Specialist

USI is looking to hire a Compliance Specialist / Flight Instructor based in Panama City, FL.

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A Letter From Our Founders

Last month, we reached a significant milestone for USI! Our company was founded 10 years ago. Since that time, we have provided more than 150,000 hours of training for 1,000+ organizations. With our decade of experience, our commitment to true workforce readiness and the highest standards for safety and professionalism, combined with the deep academic and commercial partnerships we’ve forged, USI stands out as the leader in best practices for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

And we’re just getting started! The FAA has projected the demand for commercial remote pilots in the U.S. to grow from approximately 280,000 in 2023 to over 450,000 by 2034. USI is uniquely positioned to continue preparing students for the highest-skilled, highest-paying positions within this growing industry.

For us, 10 years does not simply represent a date on the calendar. We are celebrating this milestone with the launch of USI products to the consumer marketplace, with a special, limited time subscription offer of just $10/month for new individual learners seeking to earn their FAA Part 107 certification.

As we work to further propel our mission of workforce standardization within emerging technology, we invite you to join the celebration by sharing your experience with us. We would love to hear from you and thank you for your support and partnership.

USI’s industry leadership is not possible without YOU. Together, we’ve provided a decade’s worth of education, safety and leadership to this rapidly growing industry, and we look forward to what the next 10 years will bring.

With gratitude,

 

Josh Olds                                         Alex Mirot

CEO and Co-Founder                 Vice President and Co-Founder

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USI Launches Industry Standard Drone Training to Individual Consumers

Global leader in UAS safety training extends workforce ready curriculum to individuals,
leveraging 10 years of experience with academic and enterprise organizations.

Panama City, FL, July 24, 2024 — USI announced today that their industry-standard training for drones, also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is now available to the consumer market. USI training can be accessed online, at a time and pace determined by each student, and includes both live virtual instruction as well as in-person, live flight training options. Course offerings include FAA Part 107 test prep, Primary Professional Remote Operator (PRO®) certification, and new courses for those who wish to become an instructor.

USI’s curriculum has been offered to the academic and enterprise markets for the past 10 years and is now directly available to individual consumers based on the projected massive demand for drone pilots and required crew members. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aerospace Forecast projects that the number of registered commercial drones will increase from around 385,000 in 2023 to over 835,000 by 2034. Additionally, the FAA expects the demand for commercial drone pilots to grow from approximately 280,000 in 2023 to over 450,000 by 2034.

Professionally trained operators are being hired into jobs that pay salaries of $60,000 or more per year on average. Employers consider FAA Part 107 as a baseline for entry-level positions while reserving the technically-advanced, higher-wage positions for pilots with advanced certifications. The USI certification pathways enable students to progress to the highest standards of professional remote operator certifications for true workforce readiness.

USI Co-founder and CEO, Josh Olds, stated, “Since our founding, we’ve provided the academic and enterprise markets with content that meets or exceeds the highest industry standards for safety and professionalism, with the goal of empowering and enabling regional workforce development that will support industry growth. Now individual users can attain these standards and be workforce ready for high-skill, high-wage positions in the real estate, photography, utility and agriculture industries, to name just a few.”

To coincide with the company’s 10-year anniversary, USI is offering discounted pricing across their products, including a limited time subscription offer of just $10 per month for FAA Part 107 coursework and exam prep.

More details are available at FlyUSI.org

About USI

Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) is the industry’s most widely recognized leader in flight safety solutions for individuals, academia and organizations focused on integrating and operating UAS for civil or commercial purposes. USI provides UAS flight safety training and certification to operational standards based on the adoption and modification of time-honored aviation safety practices. 

With more than 300 instructors and over 20,000 USI Certifications awarded around the world, USI works with large commercial enterprises and nearly 500 schools in all 50 states. USI is the global leader in commercial and academic UAS training and certification, delivering the most highly regarded training program of its kind. USI offers Primary, Advanced and Complex training and certification programs that are applicable to VLOS, BVLOS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.

USI’s training and certification programs are endorsed by major aviation insurance providers and implemented nationwide as a workforce pathway program from secondary or post-secondary to the career field to align skill sets to industry pay scales.

Discover more at www.FlyUSI.org. 

 

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USI Job Opportunity: Project Lead / Flight Instructor

 

USI is looking to hire a Project Lead / Flight Instructor based in Panama City, Florida.

 

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