Palm Beach State College will launch a new drone training program Oct. 6 at its Belle Glade campus...
Join our family of readers for as little as $10 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Already have an account? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
Please log in to continue |
BELLE GLADE — Palm Beach State College will launch a new drone training program Oct. 6 at its Belle Glade campus, giving students and working professionals the opportunity to develop workforce-ready skills in unmanned aircraft systems.
The 12-week, noncredit program includes 220 hours of training in supervised flight operations, drone safety, maintenance and troubleshooting. The course is designed to prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 Remote Pilot license exam and entry-level opportunities in commercial drone operations.
“Palm Beach State College’s new drone training course will prepare students and working professionals for entry-level opportunities in commercial drone operations, a field with growing workforce demand across South Florida,” said Andraes Alexander, executive dean of PBSC’s Loxahatchee Groves campus and academic dean of the Loxahatchee Groves and Belle Glade campuses.
Program details
What: Phase 1 of PBSC’s Drone Training Program
When: Begins Oct. 6, 2026; 12 weeks
Where: Palm Beach State College’s Belle Glade campus
Cost: $2,625, excluding FAA exam fees
Scholarships: Available through The Hand Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for undergraduate and trade students.
Classes are scheduled with working adults in mind. Students will attend in-person flight and lab instruction one evening each week from 5 to 9 p.m. They also will participate in a live online Canvas session once a week, offered from 6 to 8 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m., and complete additional coursework independently.
In addition to technical instruction, students will have opportunities to connect with novice and experienced drone pilots and compete in a U.S. Drone Soccer competition.
“Thanks to support from the Hand Foundation, students can build toward specialized career pathways in agriculture, public safety and other emerging industries,” Alexander said.
The noncredit course provides an accessible entry point into a growing field and creates a foundation for advanced, specialized training. The program’s second phase is planned for spring 2027, with tracks under development in:
