Published: Friday, September 10, 2010
Keeping aerospace alive
Tuition vouchers are being offered by the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center to help train the next generation of workers.
EVERETT -- If you're unemployed and want to work on airplanes, you might finally catch a break.
The Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center is offering tuition vouchers to 136 people who are out of work in the hopes of giving them the skills needed to land a job in aerospace manufacturing.
"We're trying to get people jobs," said Larry Cluphf, director of operations for the center, located at Paine Field in Everett. "We want to keep the aerospace industry in the state."
The industry is poised to take off after a global economic downturn. Snohomish County's largest employer, the Boeing Co., has announced plans to up production rates both on existing lines like its 777 and on its new 787 Dreamliner. Adding to the need for qualified workers, the industry is expected to lose about 21,000 workers to retirement in the state over the next decade. Washington has roughly 650 aerospace companies.
Therefore, Cluphf is upbeat about students' prospects to land jobs after they complete about 11 weeks of training that combines online courses and hands-on learning. The next course starts Sept. 15.
Students finish two certificate programs with the vouchers. In the aerospace manufacturing core certificate program, students learn the basics; they become familiar with blueprints, manufacturing tools, and composite materials. For the assembly mechanic certificate, students perfect the basics of drilling and riveting on aluminum before moving on to drilling composite and titanium materials. They learn to apply sealant and to assemble fuselage skins.
When finished, students will be qualified for entry-level assembly mechanic positions at aerospace companies, Cluphf said.
The center began holding traditional classes at its facility in June. The first class of 18 students graduated in August. Within three days of graduation, four those students had job offers from Boeing, Cluphf said.
Started by industry group Aerospace Futures Alliance and Snohomish County, the aerospace training center has received federal and state funding as well as the donation of more than $2.5 million in tools, materials and equipment from the Boeing Co.
Center officials set aside much of the $1.75 million in funds appropriated by the Legislature to offer free vouchers to interested students. Local aerospace companies that employ fewer than 500 workers also can qualify for specialized training for employees.
That training can't cost more than $10,000 and will be coordinated with community colleges in the area.
To be eligible for an individual tuition voucher, an applicant needs to be unemployed; be at least 18 years old; be a U.S. citizen or have a green card. Applicants additionally will need to have access to a computer, should be able to communicate in English and be able to convert fractions to decimals.
The vouchers can be used only for the new hybrid program that combines online and in-person learning. That program ultimately will have the capacity for more than 200 students to enroll each month. By offering the online, in-person program, the center expands its capacity and allows students to complete coursework around their schedules, Cluphf said.
And "the great element about this is it puts everybody on a level playing field," he said. "Students who learn fast can buzz through while those who learn at a slower pace can take the time they need."
For more information, contact the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center at 425-640-1840 or visit the center's Web site: washingtonaerospace.com.
The Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center is offering tuition vouchers to 136 people who are out of work in the hopes of giving them the skills needed to land a job in aerospace manufacturing.
"We're trying to get people jobs," said Larry Cluphf, director of operations for the center, located at Paine Field in Everett. "We want to keep the aerospace industry in the state."
The industry is poised to take off after a global economic downturn. Snohomish County's largest employer, the Boeing Co., has announced plans to up production rates both on existing lines like its 777 and on its new 787 Dreamliner. Adding to the need for qualified workers, the industry is expected to lose about 21,000 workers to retirement in the state over the next decade. Washington has roughly 650 aerospace companies.
Therefore, Cluphf is upbeat about students' prospects to land jobs after they complete about 11 weeks of training that combines online courses and hands-on learning. The next course starts Sept. 15.
Students finish two certificate programs with the vouchers. In the aerospace manufacturing core certificate program, students learn the basics; they become familiar with blueprints, manufacturing tools, and composite materials. For the assembly mechanic certificate, students perfect the basics of drilling and riveting on aluminum before moving on to drilling composite and titanium materials. They learn to apply sealant and to assemble fuselage skins.
When finished, students will be qualified for entry-level assembly mechanic positions at aerospace companies, Cluphf said.
The center began holding traditional classes at its facility in June. The first class of 18 students graduated in August. Within three days of graduation, four those students had job offers from Boeing, Cluphf said.
Started by industry group Aerospace Futures Alliance and Snohomish County, the aerospace training center has received federal and state funding as well as the donation of more than $2.5 million in tools, materials and equipment from the Boeing Co.
Center officials set aside much of the $1.75 million in funds appropriated by the Legislature to offer free vouchers to interested students. Local aerospace companies that employ fewer than 500 workers also can qualify for specialized training for employees.
That training can't cost more than $10,000 and will be coordinated with community colleges in the area.
To be eligible for an individual tuition voucher, an applicant needs to be unemployed; be at least 18 years old; be a U.S. citizen or have a green card. Applicants additionally will need to have access to a computer, should be able to communicate in English and be able to convert fractions to decimals.
The vouchers can be used only for the new hybrid program that combines online and in-person learning. That program ultimately will have the capacity for more than 200 students to enroll each month. By offering the online, in-person program, the center expands its capacity and allows students to complete coursework around their schedules, Cluphf said.
And "the great element about this is it puts everybody on a level playing field," he said. "Students who learn fast can buzz through while those who learn at a slower pace can take the time they need."
For more information, contact the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center at 425-640-1840 or visit the center's Web site: washingtonaerospace.com.
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