09.27.17

Hoeven: CBP, UND Aerospace to Match Student Pilots with Federal Career Opportunities

Creating Pathway Program for both Manned and Unmanned Student Pilots

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will partner with the University of North Dakota (UND) Aerospace to create a pathway program providing federal career opportunities for students learning to fly both manned and unmanned aircraft. Under the program, sophomore and junior student pilots will be hired by CBP as aviation enforcement trainees. Upon graduation and accumulation of flight hours, CBP will convert these students into full-time CBP pilots.

“This is a great opportunity for student pilots at UND and will help put them on a pathway to a rewarding career with CBP,” said Hoeven. “Through this program, students will be able to start public-service careers while in college and become full-time CBP pilots on an expedited basis.” 

The UND Pathways Program will provide up to 16 students each year with the opportunity to begin the pathway program as a CBP trainee. The students, who are hired as federal employees with flexible full or part-time schedules, will assist in developing operational plans for interdiction missions, work with state and local law enforcement officials and perform security liaison duties. Upon graduation and while accruing flight hours, the trainees will become Aviation Enforcement Agents with duties that include collecting and processing evidence and interviewing suspects and witnesses. Upon completion of flight hours, the trainees will become CBP Air Interdiction Agents conducting aerial border security missions.  

In May, Hoeven brought Acting CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan to the Grand Forks region to review CBP operations in the state and to find a new site to relocate CBP operations. 

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