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Thursday, February 05-February 11, 2026
Riverside officials, local educators to explore job growth through Learning Institute for Flight Technology
VOL. VOL. 10, 12,
NO. 261
Supervisors approve agreement securing professional grant writers By City News Service
By Joe Taglieri
T
he city of Riverside is partnering with two local school districts and several local colleges to explore ways of creating more jobs and long-term growth in the aviation, aerospace and related technology businesses via the Learning Institute for Flight Technology, officials said last week. The collaborative effort includes the city, Riverside Unified School District, Alvord Unified School District, Riverside City College, California Baptist University and UC Riverside. According to the city, LIFT will allow the organizations to work together to evaluate how existing school curriculum, industry needs and regional assets could be improved over time to generate more career awareness, improve skills development and build a more skilled workforce. Through LIFT, the partner agencies will explore how curriculum, training and workforce pipelines can be intentionally coordinated to ensure Riverside residents are prepared for
joet@beaconmedianews.com
Double Butte Mountain near Winchester is part of the Riverside County park system. | Photo courtesy of Z3lvs/Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Riverside officials and local educators celebrate the launch of the Learning Institute for Flight Technology. | Photo courtesy of the city of Riverside
emerging career opportunities in high-demand industries, according to officials from Riverside City College. “This will ensure Riverside remains proactive, not reactive, about aerospace and advanced manufacturing jobs,” City Councilman Steven Robillard, who proposed the idea, said in a statement. “This is an opportunity to explore partnerships and have a
dialogue about what we can bring to our city.” Riverside City College Interim President Eric Bishop said, “We are excited to be working with each other and with industry to keep talent in the Inland Empire. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating clear, accessible pathways that
connect education to meaningful careers and economic mobility.” The organizations recently put in writing via a memorandum of understanding their intention to combine shared assets to study the role of technology within aviation, aerospace, and related fields. Supporters hope the
See Flight Technology Page 16
T
he Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the Riverside County Park and Open Space District's master agreement to retain eight professional grant writing firms to submit requests seeking state and federal funds that will benefit the agency. In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on the agency's request as part of its policy agenda Tuesday. "Grant writing and
application assistance will enhance the district's capacity to pursue competitive funding and leverage local dollars for a range of park and facility improvement projects that benefit Riverside County residents," according to a statement posted by district General Manager Kyla Brown. Among grant awards sought in the current fiscal year will be Proposition 4 funding from the state, officials said. The Environ-
See Double Butte Mountain Page 32