THE VERMONT WORKFORCE WON’T BE LEFT BEHIND
“Aviation is growing rapidly, and Vermont’s workforce won’t be left behind. Habitat for Aviation is an innovative and community-focused apprenticeship program inspiring youth to pursue careers in aerospace. Here, students in rural areas and of all identities have a space to learn, fly, and thrive.”
ELLEN KW BRENNAN
PhD, Program Administrator VT Space Grant Consortium/NASA EPSCoR
GUIDING THE NEXT GENERATION INTO AEROSPACE
“Passion drives aviation, there is no better way to foster and develop a passion than through the hands-on work of apprenticeship at Habitat for Aviation. In addition, the aviation industry is growing and there is an exceptional demand for qualified and experienced mechanics who love what they do and are good at it. Together, let’s inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals!”
KYLE CLARK
CEO, Founder of BETA Technologies
RAYAN
Engineer at BETA Technologies,
Mentor at Habitat for Aviation (28)
As a woman in STEM I see myself in every girl that comes to the build. The nervousness, excitement, and adrenaline of truly stepping outside of your comfort zone for a bigger collective goal. I came into the space thinking I was here to support Beth and the Habitat for Aviation community and didn’t realize how much healing it has given me back in return. I feel like I gained 15 younger sisters and feel so honored when they come to me for support and advice. We say this a lot but I think it’s always important to reiterate that we have always been more than a plane build. I hope I keep these lasting friendships for the rest of my life and can’t wait for the day to see these girls thrive in whatever their path may be after Habitat for Aviation.
TAYLOR
Builder, Youth Aviator (16)
Working at this build has been such a rewarding experience. As someone who has a hard time making friends, it has been such a wonderful bonding experience with new people. The environment is so warm and welcoming and is also an amazing learning experience. The mentors work on aligning the way they teach me with the way I learn best, and I can always talk to them about whatever I need help with. Beth, my favorite mentor, always has a story for anything I am going through and helps provide sound advice that I know I can count on. It gets me out of my comfort zone every Sunday, and I love the outreach opportunities where I can practice my public speaking. It is truly an amazing opportunity that I would recommend to anyone considering aviation as a career.
ASHWIL
Builder, Youth Aviator (16)
Before joining Habitat for Aviation, I never imagined that building planes could be a place for someone like me. My earliest days in the hangar were filled with excitement and a little bit of nerves, but I quickly found a supportive community of women and girls who encouraged each other to try, make mistakes, and try again. Through hands-on work and leadership opportunities, I discovered a confidence in myself I hadn’t known before.
One of my proudest moments was meeting a young girl at an event who asked me to sign her magazine article. When she looked up at me and said, “Wow, this girl works on planes, and one day I am going to be an astronaut just like her,” I realized how important visibility and mentorship are for the next generation. Habitat for Aviation didn’t just teach me technical skills; it helped me see myself as a leader and a role model. If you’re a girl wondering if aviation is for you, I want you to know: you belong in the hangar, and the sky is yours to reach.
AXLEY
Builder, Welder (11)
I felt proud when we finished the aileron and the flaps because I helped rivet the end of them. Habitat for Aviation has opened a lot of doors for me, I am now thinking about the idea that I could be a mechanic or a pilot. I know I am younger, but I still feel like I am part of a family. The girls at Habitat for Aviation are older than me, but they treat me like I can do the stuff that they do.
BETH
Teacher, Hangar Mom
My daughter Axley and I first encountered Habitat for Aviation at the Green Mountain Field Days event this past September. We have not missed a Sunday since. The environment Beth White has built is incredibly positive, supportive, and empowering. Axley is 10 and most of the girls are in high school, but they are so willing and happy to take her under their wings and help her learn right along with them.
Early on, Habitat for Aviation presented their project to the 100 Women who Care in Franklin County. That was the first of many public speaking engagements Axley has been a part of since connecting with Beth. It was so powerful to see her able to speak so articulately and confidently in front of a room of adults. After they spoke at the Burlington Rotary, Axley told me that she felt “full of pride and awesome” when she participated in those events.
What I am witnessing happen for Axley is access to mentoring and the experience of a tech or apprenticeship program long before I thought that type of thing was possible. She is gaining a greater appreciation for the variety of career opportunities that exist in the world.
She is also building skills and confidence. She is already able to see that her world is bigger than home and school and has a better perspective on challenges that she faces at school. She is developing an additional facet of her identity in a super healthy way around women who only act in a supportive way. Habitat for Aviation is such a unique and special place.
Sidebar: in the winter she has snowboarding team on Sundays, but insists that she come to the build after lunch because, “She does not want to miss a whole Sunday.”
DISA, ‘GRANNY’
Builder, Hangar Granny,
EAA Chapter 613 Scholarship Wrangler
I am the Habitat for Aviation Granny because my role goes far beyond mentoring in the hangar. I am a builder not only of planes, but of confidence, character, and community. I’ve supported our Rosies with everything from driving lessons to extracurricular activities, always ready to step in wherever I’m needed.
I first heard about a group of women building an airplane at the Franklin County Airport and was instantly intrigued. With curiosity in my heart and my 9-year-old granddaughter by my side, we made our way to the airport to see what this program was all about. We were told to look for the hangar with the pink door—and that door opened up much more than just a workspace.
At every event we say, “We are not just building an airplane...we are building relationships, connections, and community.” What this means to me is that Habitat for Aviation goes far beyond rivets, blueprints, and tools. The airplane may be the project, but the real work, the lasting impact, is in the bonds we form along the way. It’s in the conversations, the teamwork, the mentorship, and the quiet moments when someone learns something new and realizes they can do it.
IAN
Private Pilot, Mechanic in Training (18)
When you’re learning with someone who’s put in years of work in a field, you’re going to see real-world issues come up that you would never learn how to solve without hands-on experience with a mentor.
Habitat for Aviation is a wonderful environment that allows a group of youth to learn by doing under the guidance of a professional, and that type of hands-on learning experience is true, traditional education that should never be taken for granted.
SAM
Youth Aviator, Mechanic in Training (15)
Because of Habitat for Aviation I get to do things and work on things that I would normally not get to do like work on an AN-2 with many talented people that pass on their skills to me, or work in the hangar for the day with George and gain new skills and learn more about the airplanes that I fly. I also get to gain new connections like the time when I went to a fly-in with Beth and George and met Kyle Clark the founder and CEO of BETA Technologies or meeting different pilots and people interested in aviation at EAA Chapter 613’s pancake breakfasts.
There are many things that would have never happened for me if I’d never known Habitat for Aviation like taking flight lessons, working on airplanes, or going to a glider camp over the summer.
Habitat for Aviation creates a great community of people that are supportive of you learning, exploring within aviation and enjoy helping out and allowing you to follow your passions and supporting you along the way. When working on things with Habitat for Aviation I feel like I am an important part of the group and I am playing a key role in the success of our goal. This is why I am so thankful for the work that Habitat for Aviation has done to make aviation more accessible for everyone.
SAMMIE
Builder, Welder (10)
Being the youngest person in this group to be building an airplane, in this group doesn’t really feel any different—I’m not treated any different, I’m not treated like I’m younger, I’m treated like I can do things—I can accomplish things. Just because I’m young doesn’t mean I can’t do all the things that everyone else is doing.
BAXTER
Automotive Instructor, Hangar Dad
After visiting the first time, Sammie really liked the atmosphere and being with “the big girls”. I’ve been amazed at the opportunities that Beth has had for Sammie as a 9-year-old: doing public speaking, helping to plan events, meeting professionals from various spectrums, and of course, getting some hands-on experience. The airplane build and the build community is providing an opportunity for her to learn and experience new things that she does not have in regular school.
TEGAN
Builder (15)
I learned about Habitat for Aviation through Vermont Works for Women and was instantly interested. I had never thought seriously about a career in aviation before, but I knew I wanted to do something in STEM working with my hands. After being a part of Habitat for Aviation I feel more confident and capable than ever before. Habitat for Aviation has taught me teamwork, problem solving, and patience. I love Habitat for Aviation because it is a comfortable space to learn. I never have to worry that I don’t know enough because everyone is learning as they go. The more experienced builders can help the less experienced ones. This creates a collaborative environment where knowledge is being shared openly and everyone is constantly learning something new. Habitat for Aviation has helped me deepen my love for aviation and discover what I want to do with my life.
ANNA
Builder, Welder,
Student at University of Vermont (20)
I learned about Habitat for Aviation from my sister who was already involved with the build. As a mechanical engineering student with an interest in aviation, I was immediately intrigued. The build has given me so many amazing opportunities to get hands on experience and learn from other women with a passion for aviation. The word “habitat” in Habitat for Aviation truly represents a habitat for growth and learning in a judgement free environment—a supportive and uplifting environment where we can learn from each other. It’s incredibly inspiring to see other women succeed in this industry and persevere through the challenges of working in a male dominated industry.