The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded Northeast State Community College a $1.5 million grant to build a reliable workforce pipeline of trained and certified aviation maintenance professionals in support of regional economic development priorities.
The $1,566,927 grant will expand the College’s Aviation Technology program, provide space in a new hangar at the Tri-Cities Airport, and secure FAA Airframe and Powerplant program certification.
Plans include constructing a new aircraft hangar in the adjacent airport, acquiring instructional equipment, improving program outreach, revising curriculum, and creating jobs.
“There is a tremendous need nationwide for aviation mechanics and technicians, so this is wonderful news for the College and its economic partners,” said Dr. Bethany Flora, Northeast State president. “The grant will greatly expand our Aviation Technology program and grow workforce development opportunities throughout the region and beyond.”
A Northeast State student works in the Aviation Technology lab at Northeast State at Gray, the current location of the program.
Over three years, the project will serve eight businesses, while training 72 community college students. The project is also a prerequisite for the success of the Tri-Cities Airport Aerospace Park, which envisions creating up to 2,000 jobs in the aviation maintenance and manufacturing sector.
The Tri-Cities Airport Authority will provide additional funding of more than $500,000 for the project.
In a recent letter to ARC, Tri-Cities Airport Executive Director Gene Cossey said, “The Airport is firmly committed to financially support this project. The Airport’s partnership with Northeast State to build an adequate pipeline of trained aviation maintenance technicians is critical to the development of the onsite Aerospace Park.”
The grant is one of 54 investments totaling $44.4 million via ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.
The College’s Aviation Technology program seeks to fill the demand for aeronautic mechanics and technicians in the regional and national workforce.
A 2018 Pilot and Technical Outlook study conducted by the Boeing Corp. projected 189,000 civil aviation technician and 206,000 civil aviation pilot openings in the next 15 to 20 years in the North American market alone.
The Aviation Technology lab at Northeast State at Gray, the current location of the program.
Students entering the program learn skills associated with the repair and installation of aviation electronics, aircraft structures, and aircraft mechanical systems. Students also develop core skills in fuselage and sheet metal repair, electrical systems, hydraulics, and aircraft repair.
The two-year degree program requires students to complete 63 credit hours of core curriculum courses and aviation-specific courses. The College also offers a 29-credit-hour technical certificate, which has also established a pathway for TCAT students with A&P certifications to earn an associate degree.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region.
ARC’s mission is to build economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
A list of awardees and information about ARC is available at www.arc.gov/power
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded Northeast State Community College a $1.5 million grant to build a reliable workforce pipeline of trained and certified aviation maintenance professionals in support of regional economic development priorities.
The $1,566,927 grant will expand the College’s Aviation Technology program, provide space in a new hangar at the Tri-Cities Airport, and secure FAA Airframe and Powerplant program certification.
Plans include constructing a new aircraft hangar in the adjacent airport, acquiring instructional equipment, improving program outreach, revising curriculum, and creating jobs.
“There is a tremendous need nationwide for aviation mechanics and technicians, so this is wonderful news for the College and its economic partners,” said Dr. Bethany Flora, Northeast State president. “The grant will greatly expand our Aviation Technology program and grow workforce development opportunities throughout the region and beyond.”
Over three years, the project will serve eight businesses, while training 72 community college students. The project is also a prerequisite for the success of the Tri-Cities Airport Aerospace Park, which envisions creating up to 2,000 jobs in the aviation maintenance and manufacturing sector.
The Tri-Cities Airport Authority will provide additional funding of more than $500,000 for the project.
In a recent letter to ARC, Tri-Cities Airport Executive Director Gene Cossey said, “The Airport is firmly committed to financially support this project. The Airport’s partnership with Northeast State to build an adequate pipeline of trained aviation maintenance technicians is critical to the development of the onsite Aerospace Park.”
The grant is one of 54 investments totaling $44.4 million via ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.
The College’s Aviation Technology program seeks to fill the demand for aeronautic mechanics and technicians in the regional and national workforce.
A 2018 Pilot and Technical Outlook study conducted by the Boeing Corp. projected 189,000 civil aviation technician and 206,000 civil aviation pilot openings in the next 15 to 20 years in the North American market alone.
Students entering the program learn skills associated with the repair and installation of aviation electronics, aircraft structures, and aircraft mechanical systems. Students also develop core skills in fuselage and sheet metal repair, electrical systems, hydraulics, and aircraft repair.
The two-year degree program requires students to complete 63 credit hours of core curriculum courses and aviation-specific courses. The College also offers a 29-credit-hour technical certificate, which has also established a pathway for TCAT students with A&P certifications to earn an associate degree.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region.
ARC’s mission is to build economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
A list of awardees and information about ARC is available at www.arc.gov/power
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