U of A Pairs With DroneUp to Offer Online Drone Pilot Training

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A DroneUp flight engineer prepares a drone for delivery.

The University of Arkansas Professional and Workforce Development division is pairing with DroneUp, a leading drone technology company, to offer online training for drone pilots who have already received FAA certification and want to take their skills to the next level.

The self-paced, online course titled “Drone Flight Crew Fundamentals” will give drone pilots with a remote pilot certification (Part 107) from the FAA stronger skills in communication, teamwork and leadership to prepare them to join or lead flight teams for uncrewed aircraft systems. The 20-hour course is designed to teach pilots to fly drone operations safely and effectively while minimizing risk. 

“This course is a unique opportunity for licensed remote pilots to start a career in the drone industry,” said Mark Berkowick, assistant director of workforce readiness at U of A Global Campus Professional and Workforce Development.

“We are excited for the opportunity and partnership with the University of Arkansas for the development of this course,” said Grant Brewer, manager for community and workforce development at DroneUp. “We believe that connecting soft skills with aeronautical principles will have a positive and lasting impact that will be extremely beneficial to supporting the development of a skilled workforce in the expanding drone industry.”

Participants will develop strategies for a successful job search in the drone industry. Those who complete the course with a score of 70% or greater are guaranteed a job interview with DroneUp. Participants are also invited to apply for federal funding that would pay for the course through the Reimagine Arkansas Workforce Project.

DroneUp launched 34 drone delivery hubs in six states last year as part of its longstanding partnership with Walmart Inc. As it continues to expand its delivery network, the company says it will need more on-site engineers to oversee autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle flights, as well as a wide range of skilled aerial tech workers.

Anyone who fits the following criteria is encouraged to consider taking the training:

• Existing FAA Part 107 pilots with some experience in the unmanned aircraft system industry looking to move out of freelancing into a full-time position.
• Drone small business owners and solo pilots looking to gain more knowledge to expand their team or further build their business.
• Individuals with military experience looking to make a career transition or move into a management/leadership position within the unmanned aircraft system industry.

About University of Arkansas Global Campus and Professional and Workforce Development: The Global Campus provides expertise in developing and delivering both academic and training courses and offers instructional design services, media production and assistance with program planning and marketing. U of A Professional and Workforce Development, a division of the Global Campus, is a hub for professional and workforce development programs and courses. For a complete list of services available, visit the U of A Professional and Workforce Development website.

About DroneUp: DroneUp is a leading drone technology company in the drone delivery and service space. DroneUp brings deep expertise in drone operations by combining airspace solutions, software applications, analytics platforms, and a trusted team of industry leaders to help companies easily and efficiently integrate drones into their businesses. Founded in 2016, DroneUp is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va. DroneUp provides drone delivery service in 34 locations across six states for the No. 1 retailer in the world, Walmart Inc. For more information, visit www.droneup.com. For media inquiries, contact droneup@escalatepr.com. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.