Daytona State College will launch an Associate of Science in Aerospace Technology this spring after consulting with industry leaders such as NASA, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman. The hands-on program emphasizes composite aircraft-structure fabrication, mechanical systems, electrical wiring and electronics assembly, and includes embedded Aerospace Technician and Structural Technician certificates. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 8% job growth for aerospace technologists and technicians over the next decade, and the college says the degree is designed to meet growing industry demand on Florida’s Space Coast.
Daytona State College Launches Hands-On A.S. in Aerospace Technology to Support Space Coast Growth
A Blue Origin New Glenn booster named “Never tell me the Odds” is transported back to the launch facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station November 20, 2025. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Daytona State College has developed a new Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Aerospace Technology that will begin in the spring semester, the college announced. The program was created in consultation with aerospace leaders including NASA, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman to align curriculum with industry needs.
Program Overview
The curriculum emphasizes hands-on training in aircraft-structure fabrication using advanced composite materials. Students will gain practical experience building and testing mechanical systems, wiring and troubleshooting electrical circuits, and assembling and working with analog and digital electronic devices.
Skills and Certifications
In addition to technical training, the program covers industrial safety protocols, quality assurance practices and project management. The degree includes embedded certificates for Aerospace Technician and Structural Technician, helping graduates demonstrate job-ready credentials to employers.
Tom LoBasso
“Daytona Beach is home to a fast-growing aerospace technology hub at the north end of Florida’s Space Coast,” Tom LoBasso, president of Daytona State College, said in a news release. “Our graduates will be entering the rapidly growing and high-demand field of aerospace technicians.”
LoBasso also noted his role on the board of the Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation, which recruits companies to the region. He cited Aura Aero, a French aircraft manufacturer that opened a facility at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Research Park in October, as an example of the cluster’s expansion and the local demand for skilled technicians.
Labor Market Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected in 2024 that employment for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians will grow by about 8% over the next decade, a faster-than-average outlook. Daytona State says the program is intended to supply qualified workers to the region’s growing aerospace cluster.
This announcement originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
