Page 14 - Aerotech News and Review, Feb. 21, 2019

Aerospace Valley grows its own industry workforce

by Larry Grooms America’ first jet aircraft, the trail-blaz- Powerplant Mechanic Certificate. for technology growth in California’s community colleges in the greater An-
special to Aerotech News ing line of X-planes, rocket engines that Local employers maintaining part- Antelope Valley and Mojave regions. telope Valley to ensure that the region
took Americans to the moon, bombers nerships with this program include CATIE facilitates collaborative net- has access to high-quality, affordable
Aerospace research, testing, manu- and fighters and space shuttle orbiters. Northrop Grumman, which requires working with the aerospace industry, education in engineering.
facturing and defense organizations Kids growing up in the Antelope Valley local applicants without experience to Air Force Research Laboratory, Mojave Students are admitted and matricu-
clustered across the high desert valleys have been going into the family business graduate from Antelope Valley Col- Air and Space Port, Naval Air Weapons lated through CSULB. The program is a
of northern Los Angeles and southeast- since the 1950s. lege’s program in order to be consid- Station China Lake, and Academic Re- cohort-based model, allowing students to
ern Kern and Inyo counties are reaching With a booming economy, aging ered for a position. Northrop, Lockheed search Institutions for emerging and ad- proceed as a group through the program
out to attract, motivate, train and hire a workforce and shrinking pool of skilled and Boeing often recruit in class, and vanced technology in space propulsion in a prescribed lock-step sequence. The
new generation of homegrown aviators, technicians, engineers, skilled craftspeo- Northrop has interviewed prospective and responsiveness systems. CATIE cohort model emphasizes teamwork and
engineers, scientists, technicians and as- ple and scientists, the aerospace compa- employees on campus. also works to explore new innovative collaboration among students and offers
semblers. nies and military installations around the technology and accelerate linking the a strong support system as you progress
The combined effort evolved from Antelope Valley region are stepping up Manufacturing degrees marketplace with aerospace and defense through the program. Students com-
aerospace industry recognition that the both financially and technically to un- Airframe Manufacturing Technology industries. Khalil Dajani, Ph.D., is direc- plete 68 units of junior and senior level
region offering some of the world’s most derwrite the preparation of new technical is a one-of-a-kind bachelor’s degree pro- tor of CATIE. engineering, capstone General Educa-
challenging, exciting, rewarding and workforce. Six figure grants, donations gram designed to meet aerospace indus- tion, and math coursework. The program
meaningful jobs was at the same time of scientific equipment and hardware, try needs for multi-skilled first line leads Cal State Long Beach Engineer- takes approximately two and a half years
alien territory for young, urban millenni- internships and scholarships touch edu- in manufacturing structural components ing at Lancaster University to complete, including a Summer term.
al engineers and technicians; especially cational programs from kindergarten to of an aircraft for civilian and military Center For more information call, 661-723-
newlyweds. Although many make the graduate degrees. specifications. The program’s curricu- Antelope Valley residents can earn a 6429, Ext. 103 or 104.
adjustment and grow to love their new Antelope Valley College is one of the lum addresses airframe manufacturing, Bachelor of Science in Electrical or Me-
locale, industry experience showed peo- few community colleges in the United aircraft fabrication (structures and com- chanical Engineering from the College Palmdale Aerospace Academy
ple who already lived in the high desert States to offer a Federal Aviation Ad- posites), and electronics. of Engineering at CSULB within two Opened in 2012 with about 500 stu-
and mountain region remained in their ministration certified Airframe and Pow- The AFMT program is geared for and a half years. dents in grades 7, 8 and 9, The Palmdale
jobs longer. erplant Technician Program consisting students who have completed or are The program, designed for students Aerospace Academy is today home to
Although regional college and univer- of general aircraft maintenance, airframe in progress of completing a two-year interested in completing their engineer- 2,300 students attending two adjacent
sity programs are turning out certified and powerplant components. program in Aircraft Fabrication and As- ing degree, is located in the Lancaster campuses, one for transitional kinder-
technicians and newly graduated aero- Those who complete the program will sembly, who are interested in pursuing a University Center, 45356 Division Street garten through 8th grade, and the other
space engineers, the seeds for the work- have knowledge of aircraft structures, bachelor’s degree in Aircraft Manufac- in Lancaster. The location provides for high school students.
force supply chain started in elementary hydraulics, fuel and electrical systems, turing Technology. unprecedented access to the industry, Although the Palmdale Aerospace
and high schools before the first decade fire controls, engines, landing controls Ringmaster in the regional circus of including internships with local compa- Academy, a charter school under auspi-
of the new century. and others, as well as familiarity with fast-growing aerospace schooling is the nies and organizations. Participants must cious of the Palmdale Elementary School
Many of the college-age students techniques and operations involved in California Aerospace Technologies In- have completed their first two years of District, has yet to see its first graduates
preparing for careers in aerospace today aircraft maintenance and repair. The stitute of Excellence (CATIE.) Located coursework at a community college receive a baccalaureate degree, tracking
are the children, grandchildren and even program also prepares students with on the AVC campus in Lancaster, CAT- or other university. This program is a of TPAA’s alumni reveals: 87 percent
great-grandchildren of men and women knowledge needed to pass FAA compre- IE is geographically positioned to meet shared commitment between CSULB, enrolled in a two-year college; the ma-
who built, flew, tested and maintained hensive testing leading to an Airframe & the expanding aerospace industry needs industry and government partners, and See EDUCATION, Page 16

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