The four-session program gives high school students from surrounding communities a direct path into aviation careers
Van Nuys Airport welcomed local high school students to the second annual Youth Leadership Airport Academy (YLAA) on Saturday, March 14, kicking off a four-session program designed to connect young people from the surrounding community with the careers and opportunities available at one of the San Fernando Valley’s most significant economic engines.
The program brings students together for direct conversations with senior airport leadership and representatives of Los Angeles City Council District 6, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of airport operations. YLAA is a partnership between Van Nuys Airport, Los Angeles City Council District 6, the Los Angeles Unified School District, the City of Los Angeles Youth Development Department, and regional high schools. The program’s goal is to show young people from the surrounding community that a future in aviation is possible for them, and that the workforce opportunities generated by the airport are within their reach.
Three additional sessions are scheduled through April 18, on March 28, April 4, and April 18, each running from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Across the sessions, students participate in expert workshops, mentorship from aviation and community leaders, and field experiences including an exclusive tour of the airport and a City Hall visit focused on local government and aviation-related initiatives.
YLAA is part of a broader slate of workforce development and education programs at VNY, which also hosts an annual Aviation Career Day for LAUSD students and is home to the North Valley Occupational Center Aircraft Mechanic Program, offering hands-on technical training in aircraft maintenance.