The quiet, grassy fields stretching across the former Fort Ord military base are humming with a new kind of energy these days. It’s not soldiers training for deployment, but students piloting drones through carefully designed obstacle courses, their faces displaying that unique mixture of concentration and excitement that comes with mastering new technology.
This scene represents the future of Monterey Bay’s workforce development, thanks to a substantial $2.4 million grant recently awarded to California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and Hartnell College. The funding aims to create pathways for students into high-demand fields of aviation and robotics through an innovative drone technology initiative.
Having observed similar programs across Silicon Valley, I’m particularly struck by the practical approach this program takes. Rather than keeping drone technology as an abstract concept, students here get hands-on experience from day one.
“We’re building what we call ‘career ladders’ that start in high school and continue through community college and university programs,” explains Dr. Maria Santos, Director of Workforce Development at CSUMB. “The drone and robotics industries are projected to create over 25,000 jobs in California alone over the next decade. We’re ensuring our local students are positioned to fill them.”
The initiative focuses on creating a seamless educational pathway that begins with introducing drone technology in area high schools, continues through specialized certificate programs at Hartnell College, and culminates in advanced degrees at CSUMB. This integrated approach addresses one of the most persistent challenges in technology education – bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
According to data from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the commercial drone market is expected to reach $43 billion globally by 2027, with applications spanning agriculture, public safety, infrastructure inspection, and delivery services. This growth translates directly to job opportunities, particularly in regions like Monterey that combine agricultural needs with technological innovation.
What makes this program particularly noteworthy is its emphasis on diversity. Historically, aviation and robotics fields have struggled with representation issues. The grant specifically allocates resources to recruit students from underrepresented communities throughout Monterey County.
“We’re seeing tremendous interest from students who might never have considered careers in aviation or robotics,” says Carlos Medina, a program coordinator at Hartnell College. “When students actually get to pilot a drone and see immediate results, something clicks. They realize this technology isn’t beyond their reach.”
The program’s curriculum balances technical skills with critical thinking. Students learn not just how to operate drones, but also how to process and analyze the data they collect. They study regulations and safety protocols while developing problem-solving abilities applicable across industries.
During my visit to one of the training sessions, I watched as students calibrated drone cameras to assess moisture levels in agricultural fields – a practical application that could help local farmers conserve water and improve crop yields. This real-world focus distinguishes the program from more theoretical approaches.
The grant will fund new equipment, faculty positions, curriculum development, and scholarship opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, it will strengthen connections between educational institutions and local employers, ensuring that skills taught align with industry needs.
“We’re already partnering with agricultural technology companies, environmental monitoring agencies, and local governments,” notes Dr. Santos. “These partnerships provide internship opportunities and help us refine our training to match employer expectations.”
The economic implications extend beyond individual careers. Monterey County, with its unique combination of agricultural resources and coastal geography, is well-positioned to become a hub for drone technology innovation. By developing a skilled workforce locally, the region can attract companies looking to establish operations in areas with talent pipelines already in place.
For students like Miguel Hernandez, a first-year participant in the program, the opportunity represents more than just technical training. “I never thought I’d be working with technology like this,” he told me as he programmed a flight path for his drone. “Now I’m thinking about starting my own inspection service after graduation.”
The initiative faces challenges, of course. Evolving regulations around drone operation require constant curriculum updates. The technology itself advances rapidly, demanding regular equipment upgrades. And as with any workforce development program, measuring long-term success will take years.
But the enthusiasm evident in both educators and students suggests the program has already cleared its first hurdle – generating genuine interest in aviation and robotics careers among a diverse student population. In a region known more for agriculture and tourism than technology, that’s no small achievement.
As I watched the drones buzzing overhead, plotting their precise courses across the former military training grounds, the symbolism wasn’t lost on me. These fields once prepared young people for one type of future. Now they’re preparing them for another – one where technology and human ingenuity combine to address the challenges of our changing world.
