Eleven trainees graduated from the third cohort of the AviPrep Course at the Hispanic Brotherhood on May 2, marking another milestone for a workforce development program designed to prepare Long Islanders for aviation careers.
The program, offered through a partnership among Hispanic Brotherhood, Aviation Prep Academy and M&T Bank, trains local job seekers for aviation industry careers beyond pilots and flight attendants. Organizers said the course is intended to help participants build technical skills, earn certifications and develop workplace confidence for entry-level aviation roles.
The curriculum, developed and delivered by Aviation Prep Academy, combines technical instruction with STEM education, resiliency training and workplace social skills.
“The curriculum of AviPrep Academy is an intentional and unique blend of multiple strands, integrating technical skills, resiliency, STEM and workplace social skills,” AviPrep founder Sara Hill said.
The third cohort participated in hands-on instruction, field demonstrations and seminars with industry leaders. Graduates from earlier cohorts have secured positions with major airlines, including JetBlue, according to program organizers.
Hispanic Brotherhood helped recruit participants through its community network and hosted the program at its Rockville Centre facility.
“Because of the support of M&T Bank, we’ve been able to do this program,” Hispanic Brotherhood Executive Director Marguerite Keller said. “When I was pitched this idea two and a half years ago, I was floored by it because it opened up opportunities none of us knew existed.”
The AviPrep course was supported by a grant from the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, which provided funding to Hispanic Brotherhood to partner with Aviation Prep Academy.
Graduation day included course reflections, goal-setting exercises and a certificate ceremony recognizing the trainees’ achievements.
For graduate Karina Estrada, the program offered both practical training and a sense of connection.
“It’s a very unique program, packed with information,” Estrada said. “I was never bored. It was a lot of fun, and I made great friendships.”
