Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 18, 2026
USI Forms Industry Advisory Board to Align UAS Training with Workforce Needs
TLDR
- USI's new Industry Advisory Board gives drone operators and educators a competitive edge by aligning training with FAA Part 108 and employer needs.
- USI formed an Industry Advisory Board to validate curriculum, identify skill gaps, and align credentials with real-world UAS operations and upcoming regulations.
- USI's advisory board helps create better career pathways in unmanned aviation, ensuring safer operations and broader opportunities for students and workers.
- USI's first Industry Advisory Board includes leaders from Amazon Prime Air, Cargill, and Dominion Energy to shape the future of drone workforce training.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because the rapid advancement of unmanned aircraft systems, particularly with the anticipated FAA Part 108 framework for BVLOS operations, is set to transform how drones are integrated into the national airspace. As operations become more automated and scalable, the demand for a skilled workforce capable of managing complex, safety-critical missions will skyrocket. USI's Industry Advisory Board ensures that education and training programs keep pace with these changes, providing students, educators, and employers with clear pathways to develop the necessary competencies. By bridging the gap between industry and academia, this initiative will help build a robust talent pipeline, enhance safety, and accelerate the adoption of UAS technology across sectors such as delivery, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. Ultimately, it impacts anyone who will rely on drone technology—from businesses seeking efficiency to consumers benefiting from new services—by fostering a well-prepared workforce that can safely and effectively operate in the evolving airspace.
Summary
The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has launched its first Industry Advisory Board, assembling leaders from across the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) ecosystem to align education, training, and industry-recognized credentials with evolving workforce demands. The inaugural meeting took place on September 2, 2026, at the Commercial UAV Expo and Conference in Las Vegas, NV. The board will provide strategic insight and candid feedback as USI evaluates existing programs and develops new pathways for students, educators, operators, and employers. Members are tasked with challenging assumptions, identifying emerging skills and roles, and ensuring learning outcomes remain connected to real-world operating environments.
The timing is critical as the Federal Aviation Administration's proposed Part 108 framework aims to create a predictable pathway for routine, scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. This proposal addresses operating authorizations, aircraft airworthiness, separation from other aircraft, security, recordkeeping, third-party services, and organizational responsibilities. Employers and educators face a shared question: how should the workforce prepare for operations that are more automated, distributed, and integrated with the National Airspace System? Josh Olds, President and CEO of USI, emphasized, "The strongest training programs are built with the people responsible for putting technology to work safely. This board is not ceremonial. We are asking these leaders to examine our assumptions, challenge our priorities and help us keep education aligned with what employers and operators will actually need as the industry moves into its next phase."
The advisory board will advise USI in four primary areas: validating curriculum against current operating practice; identifying emerging job roles and skill gaps; strengthening the connection among education, credentials, and employer expectations; and maintaining an aviation-grade focus on safety. The board includes distinguished professionals such as Andrew Spiegel of USAIG, Calvin Rieb of Cargill, Drew Talley of Skyways, Jim Ogletree of Amazon Prime Air, Joseph Keck of MGM Resorts International, Kyle Miller of Censys Technologies, Matt Gulsvig of American Tower, Nate Robie of Dominion Energy, Rita Castonguay-Hunt, Toni Drummond of Future Flight Global, Will Dawson of the Agricultural Drone Initiative, and Will Wheeler of Southern Company. To learn more about USI's Advisory Board, please visit https://www.flyusi.org/about/advisory-board.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, USI Forms Industry Advisory Board to Align UAS Training with Workforce Needs
