A dynamic partnership among Vincennes University, the Prosser Career Education Center and the Clark County Regional Airport is advancing an ambitious plan to strengthen Southern Indiana’s aviation industry. The Southern Indiana Aviation Initiative will engage high school students across the region while addressing critical workforce needs in the aviation industry.
At the heart of this initiative is the development of the Southern Indiana Aviation Technology Center—a cutting-edge facility dedicated to Flight Training and Aviation Maintenance Training at the Clark County Regional Airport in Sellersburg, Indiana.
The initiative was announced at an event on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Clark County Regional Airport.
With the aviation industry facing an urgent need for skilled professionals, this initiative directly addresses labor market trends and insights from regional industry leaders, who cite a rapidly aging workforce and a critical shortage in both pilot and maintenance fields. According to Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook 2025-2044, the global commercial aviation industry will require 710,000 new maintenance technicians and 660,000 new pilots over the next two decades to fly and maintain its fleet.
The Southern Indiana Aviation Technology Center will provide accessible, high-quality training starting in high school, significantly reducing financial barriers for students while fast-tracking them into high-demand aviation careers.
Students from the Prosser Career Education Center—one of Indiana’s premier career and technical education (CTE) institutions, serving 23 high schools and more than 1,400 students—will be able to choose from two specialized pathways: Aviation Flight or Aviation Maintenance. Through these programs, students will earn dual credit hours, accelerating their progress toward a post-secondary degree and a successful aviation career. Students enrolled in either of the two programs will have the opportunity to earn up to 16 credit hours per year from VU while attending Prosser. These credits will transfer directly toward a VU Certificate of Graduation or Associate Degree, giving students the potential to complete the equivalent of an entire semester of college-level coursework while still in high school.
VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson said, “The aviation industry is at a pivotal moment and Vincennes University, along with our great partners here in Southern Indiana, is responding. The Southern Indiana Aviation Technology Center will significantly expand Vincennes University’s ability to provide high-quality flight and maintenance training to up to 200 students each year. Through this strategic collaboration with visionary partners, the Center will become a critical resource for developing aviation talent right here in Southern Indiana.”
Opening Doors To Aviation Careers For Adult Learners
In addition to serving high school students at Prosser, the SoIN Aviation Technology Center also plans to expand its programming to include adult learners, further broadening access to aviation training and career opportunities across the region. Adult learners will also have access to both aviation degree pathways, enabling them to enroll in the program and complete their degree in as little as 24 months.
Modeled after VU’s Aviation Technology Center at the Indianapolis International Airport, the Southern Indiana Aviation Technology Center is purpose-built to address the specific needs of the Southern Indiana region. The 54,000-square-foot facility will feature modern classrooms, advanced training labs, and two fully equipped aircraft hangars. Students will train using industry-standard aircraft and cutting-edge equipment, receiving instruction in hydraulics, electronics, avionics, motor control, welding, and fabrication. Strategically located in Southern Indiana and in the Louisville metro area, this center will position both high school students from the Prosser Career Education Center and adult learners, as future leaders in aviation. By offering immersive, hands-on training, the facility will equip students with essential employability skills to thrive in a rapidly expanding sector of the regional economy.
Aviation careers offer strong earning potential. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $226,600 in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau also reports the median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $78,680 in 2024.
Driving Economic Growth With Aviation Education
“Prosser’s long-standing partnership with Vincennes University’s aviation programs is taking another important step forward with the introduction of the Southern Indiana Aviation Technology Center. This comprehensive training center for aviation commercial pilots and aviation maintenance technicians is frankly a game changer in the Kentuckiana Bi-State Economy, providing an outstanding path for high school youth straight to high-skill/high-wage certifications and post-secondary credentials to build an outstanding career and support the rapidly growing needs of our regional economy,” Director of Prosser Education Center Dr. Kyle Lanoue said.
Beyond education, this initiative has the potential to fuel economic growth across the region. Close collaboration with local workforce leadership and industry partners has revealed the center’s ability to attract new aviation-based companies, while supporting and expanding existing aviation enterprises.
“The creation of an aviation training center in our region would be a great step forward in advancing our workforce. This initiative not only addresses the demand for skilled professionals but also opens doors to high-quality career opportunities for our residents. We’re excited to support a project that aligns our regional talent with industry to drive long-term economic growth,” President and CEO of Southern Indiana Works Tony Waterson said.
Fueling Aviation Training Through Strong Financial Support
The bold vision to establish the innovative Southern Indiana Aviation Technology Center has required significant funding to bring it to fruition. The Caesars Foundation played a pivotal role in launching this transformative initiative by committing $500,000 in support followed by an additional $100,000 from CenterPoint Energy Foundation. These generous contributions served as a powerful catalyst—affirming the importance of the center for Southern Indiana and energizing project partners to pursue additional funding. As a result, the initiative secured a $6.5 million investment from the State of Indiana. This state-level commitment underscores the project’s value not just regionally, but across Indiana, reinforcing the state’s leadership in career and technical education and its dedication to strengthening the aviation and broader transportation sectors. The Southern Indiana Aviation Technology Center promises to deliver lasting impact, creating opportunities for generations of Hoosier students and meeting the evolving needs of employers throughout the region.
New Albany/Floyd County Schools Superintendent Dr. Travis Madison said, “This partnership represents what is possible when education, industry, and community come together with a shared purpose. On behalf of New Albany/Floyd County Schools and our partner school districts, we thank President Johnson, Vincennes University, and Prosser Career Center for creating a pathway that will elevate opportunities for our students and fuel the future workforce of Southern Indiana. We are honored to be part of something that will change lives and strengthen our communities for generations to come.”
With more than half of the project funding already secured, capital development efforts continue with an anticipated opening in the 2027-28 academic year.