The unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry is witnessing a revolutionary transformation. &nbsp;With operations being expanded from visual line of sight flight operations under 14 CFR 107 to more sophisticated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations under the proposed 14 CFR 108 regulation, the training requirements become much more complex, and the stakes for safety rise exponentially. In this evolving environment, there is a need for certified, job-ready operators and support personnel with specialized skills in automation management, situational awareness, risk assessment and compatibility with traditional aviation systems. Meeting these needs will require both robust training efforts and cooperative collaborations between education, industry and regulatory organizations to create a talent pipeline capable of generating trained professionals who can advance UAS operations economically and safely.Increasing Demand for Qualified UAS Operators Early UAS operations were confined mainly to visual line of sight operations, which placed few demands on the operator beyond general flying and visual observation. Under 14 CFR 107, operators were required to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate, but the operating environment was relatively uncomplicated. As UAS operators embark on more ambitious missions such as infrastructure inspections, package delivery and aerial surveying, operational activities have become sophisticated, requiring higher levels of automation and the need to coordinate flight paths. Such operations undoubtedly necessitate more than a minimum certification.The proposed BVLOS rule identifies three essential roles within a UAS company: Flight coordinators must now demonstrate competence in mission planning, risk management, automation management and crew resource management. Maintenance technicians must be trained on advanced diagnostic equipment, system repair and component-level diagnosis. Operations supervisors will need to oversee all phases of flight, ensure compliance with evolving regulations, and integrate unmanned flights into the existing system of manned aviation. A formal management hierarchy with an emphasis on safety culture, continued training, maintenance scheduling and operational compliance is necessary as flight profiles become increasingly complex. In this context, the UAS industry needs operators, technicians and supervisors who are not only certified but also job-ready with a focus on sound decision-making and judgment.Matching Education with Operational Requirements With an awareness of the existing gap between the Remote Pilot Certificate and evolving operational needs, training organizations such as USI have begun proposing certification frameworks that build upon a UAS-specific body of knowledge. The USI framework includes three areas of certification, each structured to align with the operational demands of an increasingly complex industry. For the last seven years, USI has offered a certification that validates a candidate's basic skills in mission planning, site surveying, flight path programming, risk management and ground safety. These skills complement the aeronautical knowledge required by the Remote Pilot Certificate. Confirming that applicants can plan and conduct UAS missions safely establishes a solid foundation for more advanced training. This level of certification is appropriate for career and technical education programs at the high school level.Building on this foundation, a second level of certification addresses both manual and automated flight operations, decision-making frameworks, and responses to in-flight emergencies. Students learn standard operating procedures and how to adapt them when abnormal situations occur. They follow formal protocols for managing equipment failures, data link outages and unauthorized airspace intrusions, using sequential checklists to maintain safe operations. This certification level is suited for technical college curricula, bridging the gap between entry-level pilots and experienced professionals.Once the BVLOS rule is finalized, there will be an increased demand for flight coordinators with expertise in BVLOS mission planning, enabling technologies such as detect-and-avoid systems, and advanced risk management. USI has been certifying individuals in BVLOS waiver operations for several years. Trainees engage in both simulated and live flights, evaluating factors such as weather variations, terrain and emergency recovery planning. While the proposed rule indicates that companies will be responsible for training their personnel, industry experience suggests that having a prequalified labor pool in these areas will be essential to meeting operational demands. These advanced certifications are well-suited for technical colleges and universities offering aviation operations and professional development programs. Finally, one of the most overlooked roles in the coming wave of industry growth is that of the UAS maintenance technician. These professionals will be essential to maintaining the reliability and safety of BVLOS fleets. As the proposed rule allows flight coordinators to monitor multiple unmanned aircraft, the need for technicians who can safely operate on flight lines and quickly return systems to flight-ready status will be critical.Both employees and employers benefit from a third-party certification system. For employers, these certifications offer a clear indication of a candidate's experience and capabilities, supporting informed decisions in hiring, role placement and workforce development. For employees, certifications provide a recognized pathway to demonstrate their skills, increase job competitiveness, and access opportunities for advancement or specialization in more complex UAS operations.Consensus-Based Standards in Training Quality Consistency and relevance in UAS training and certification are premised on the implementation of consensus-based standards. ASTM International, a world standards body, provides an open procedure for developing industry standards. Together with industry subject matter experts from manufacturers, operators, regulators, and end-users, ASTM International published standards for remote pilot-in-command operations and maintenance technicians. It is currently working on BVLOS guidance unique to 14 CFR 108 operations. Including these standards in training programs ensures that course content and certification requirements are based on the collective information of the industry.Training suppliers that adopt ASTM frameworks benefit in two ways. First, they remain up to date with evolving best practices, as ASTM specifications are continuously updated to reflect advancements in technology and lessons learned from experience. Second, they give employers confidence that certified candidates achieve an accepted standard of performance. Companies thereby gain confidence in the skills of new hires and can save on onboarding time and costs associated with additional training.In addition to ASTM, leading training organizations should collaborate with other stakeholder groups to strengthen curricula. For example, USI collaborates with the International Business Aviation Council to certify auditors who assess UAS businesses for compliance with their safety management system. USI further collaborates with original equipment manufacturers, whereby they include platform-specific maintenance practices and component-level troubleshooting techniques. Collaborating with the Aircraft Electronics Association and aviation insurers complements our mission to chart and bridge the gaps in comprehensive UAS training. This holistic approach, built on consensus standards and informed by broad industry inputs, constructs a training program that produces UAS professionals capable of addressing real-world challenges.Academic Partnerships and Industry Collaboration Establishing a robust UAS talent pipeline is dependent on ongoing interaction between educational institutions, training providers and industry stakeholders. There have been success stories in recent years that have showcased how partnerships can provide trained operators with direct employment opportunities.One notable example is our collaboration with Amazon's Career Choice program, which was designed to reskill candidates for placement in its unmanned division. Prospective recruits are currently trained to the ASTM standard for remote pilot in command. Program graduates are then placed into operational roles, reducing training costs for the company and improving safety margins.On the secondary education front, USI has a long-standing partnership with Gaetz Aerospace Career Academy, a division of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has introduced high school students to rigorous STEM and UAS courses. Over the past decade, this program has enabled students to earn industry certification before graduation. With their high school diploma and UAS skillset, graduates enter college or the workforce with an open door to high-demand careers. Program educators benefit from professional development workshops and bootcamps that keep their teaching up to speed with industry trends and emerging technologies.These partnership models demonstrate a scalable methodology: mapping postsecondary training programs onto foundational UAS certifications, supporting teachers with ongoing training, and establishing industry-driven upskilling tracks for adult learners. The result is a steady stream of certified operators and technicians who can serve the needs of modern UAS operations.Conclusion The expansion of BVLOS operations under 14 CFR 108 will be a significant step forward for the industry. It requires a workforce of more than minimally trained remote pilots; it requires specialist positions involving technical competence, automation control and sound safety practices. Certification programs offer the simplicity of developing and validating those competencies, matching learning goals to operational needs.&nbsp;By investing in new certification models and competency-based training, the UAS industry can develop a certified, competent and prepared workforce to integrate unmanned systems into the national airspace safely. Such efforts will help the industry increase the number of applications for UAS, open new opportunities for inspection, package delivery, surveying and aerial observation.Author: Alexander Mirot Cofounder &amp; Vice President for Product&nbsp; Development Unmanned Safety Institute (USI)Printed in the 2025 issue of UAS MagazineCONTRIBUTION: The claims and statements made in this article belong exclusively to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of UAS Magazine or its advertisers. All questions pertaining to this article should be directed to the author(s).

medium_usi-uas-team3-0125.jpg

small_usi-uas-team3-0125.jpg

thumbnail_usi-uas-team3-0125.jpg

usi-uas-team3-0125.jpg

medium_usi-uas-electric-pole-0125.jpg

small_usi-uas-electric-pole-0125.jpg

thumbnail_usi-uas-electric-pole-0125.jpg

usi-uas-electric-pole-0125.jpg

medium_usi-uas-team-0125.jpg

small_usi-uas-team-0125.jpg

thumbnail_usi-uas-team-0125.jpg

usi-uas-team-0125.jpg

medium_usi-uas-classroom-0125.jpg

small_usi-uas-classroom-0125.jpg

thumbnail_usi-uas-classroom-0125.jpg

usi-uas-classroom-0125.jpg

medium_usi-uas-power-tower-0125.jpg

small_usi-uas-power-tower-0125.jpg

thumbnail_usi-uas-power-tower-0125.jpg

usi-uas-power-tower-0125.jpg

medium_usi-uas-lede-0125.jpg

small_usi-uas-lede-0125.jpg

thumbnail_usi-uas-lede-0125.jpg

usi-uas-lede-0125.jpg

As the unmanned aircraft systems industry transitions to more complex operations under 14 CFR 108, there is a growing need for certified professionals with specialized skills in automation, safety and mission management. A structured certification system, aligned to consensus-based standards and supported by academic and industry partnerships, is needed to prepare a job-ready workforce.

Preparing the UAS Workforce of the Future

Preparing the UAS Workforce of the Future

Related Stories

Securing the Signal

Countering Aerial Threats

Advancing Drone Operations

Volatus Aerospace Secures Major Multi-Year Agreement with a Leading North American Power Utility to Provide Drone-Based Services

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils New Plan to Fast-Track Advanced Air Mobility Vehicles

Upcoming Events

UAS Summit & Expo

Preparing the UAS Workforce of the Future.css-7jxktu{position:absolute;bottom:0px;left:0px;right:0px;height:3px;border-radius:3px;background-color:var(--chakra-colors-brandBlack);}

Related Stories

Securing the Signal

Countering Aerial Threats

Advancing Drone Operations

Volatus Aerospace Secures Major Multi-Year Agreement with a Leading North American Power Utility to Provide Drone-Based Services

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils New Plan to Fast-Track Advanced Air Mobility Vehicles

Upcoming Events

UAS Summit & Expo

Preparing the UAS Workforce of the Future