Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Canada’s Volatus Aerospace and the University of Technology (UTech) have launched a structured drone training program in Jamaica, set to begin next month.

The parties have entered a strategic partnership to introduce advanced drone training and applied technology programs in the island to support disaster response, public safety, and infrastructure applications while expanding workforce development across the Caribbean. 

The agreement extends Volatus Aerospace’s international training network and reinforces its presence in the Caribbean, supporting the growing need for skilled operators as uncrewed aerial systems see wider use in disaster response, environmental monitoring, infrastructure applications, and public safety.

Training programme outlined  

The program is built around a structured learning pathway focused on disaster preparedness and response. Participants will begin with an online foundational course before progressing to in-person practical training at UTech’s Kingston campus, where instruction will cover mission planning, aerial assessment, and operational deployment in real-world scenarios.

Learners who complete the initial stages will have the opportunity to advance into more applied training, including search and rescue support, damage assessment, and operations in complex mission environments. In addition to emergency response training, the collaboration is expected to support broader education and research initiatives in areas such as STEM, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and scientific applications of drone technology.

Together, these efforts are intended to create a scalable training framework that supports progression from foundational knowledge to advanced operational capability. Volatus Aerospace has trained more than 100,000 individuals worldwide and continues to expand its programs to support the adoption of drone technology across government, industry, and institutional sectors.

The expansion also aligns with broader efforts to develop training and simulation capabilities linked to workforce readiness and autonomous systems, including areas highlighted in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.

Bringing cutting-edge drone technology training to Jamaica

For Utech President, Dr Kevin Brown, “This partnership with Volatus Aerospace represents a powerful opportunity to bring cutting-edge drone technology training to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean to strengthen Jamaica’s technology workforce and support innovation through applied drone training and research. By combining academic excellence with industry expertise, we are helping prepare the next generation of technology professionals for emerging global opportunities.”

Chief Executive Officer of Volatus Aerospace, Glen Lynch comment, “The expansion of our training programs into Jamaica represents another step in Volatus Aerospace’s strategy to build global capability through education, applied training, and operational expertise. As climate events, infrastructure demands, and public safety needs continue to increase worldwide, the importance of developing skilled drone professionals capable of supporting disaster preparedness and response has never been greater.”