JetBlue has announced a new initiative between the JetBlue Foundation and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals to introduce aviation careers to students traditionally under-represented in the field.

Currently 93 percent of aircraft pilots and flight engineers are white, and African Americans only make up three percent of airline pilots. Additionally, only seven percent of U.S. pilots are women.

This summer, both organizations are working together to increase awareness of aviation-related careers through hands-on learning for minority students and girls, ages 14-18.

Students will learn from pilots and other aviation professionals at JetBlue’s airports, hangars and flight training centers in Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Long Beach/Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Fla., San Juan, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

OBAP has facilitated the Aviation Career Education (ACE Academy) program for several years. With the help of a grant from the JetBlue Foundation, OBAP is able to bring the program to additional cities this year. Nearly 200 students across JetBlue’s six focus cities and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be introduced to aviation.

JetBlue pilots volunteer their time to coordinate these initiatives. In fact, many of the pilot coordinators and advisors were once students in ACE Academy initiatives and credit the program as the spark that ignited their interest in aviation.

According to the FAA's Aeronautical Center, opportunities for careers such as commercial pilots are slated to increase over the next few years. Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow four percent between 2016 and 2026.