Southern California College Program Preparing Students for Aerospace Fastener Jobs
8/30/2009
Southern California College Program Preparing Students for Aerospace Fastener Jobs
There is a waiting list for the “Aerospace Fastener Boot Camp” at El Camino College started last year after working with industry partners and forming the Aerospace Fastener Manufacturing Training Alliance.
The first 23 students started an eight-week program at the Compton Center in November 2008 and completed the 320 hours of training by January this year. Another 20 students completed a spring program.
The program includes 40 hours per week in the classroom plus homework. Students may qualify for a paid internship and job placement.
The college is now reviewing its fastener training and working with the industry to create a curriculum for future courses.
The Industrial Fasteners Institute donated books and will assist the college in getting equipment donated, IFI managing director Rob Harris said.
El Camino projects a need for 200 to 400 workers each year for the next five years. Southern California aerospace fastener manufacturers and distributors employ more than 10,000 people.
The specialized training is provided by the Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies and funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s office of economic and workforce development.
Earlier this year El Camino reported 300 were on a waiting list for the boot camp.
The program is drawing students primarily from Southern California.
David Gonzales, the El Camino CACT director, said it is the only aerospace fastener boot camp in the Western U.S.
AFMTA is working on additional training leading to an A.S. degree in Aerospace Fastener Manufacturing Technology.
El Camino dean Rodney Murray said the fastener program “meets the distinct needs of students, the job market and our surrounding communities.”
“There is no job shortage, only a skill shortage,” instructor Stanley Johnson said.
The first class included homeless individuals, veterans, recovering substance abusers, the first woman welder in the Air Force and a mechanical engineer.
For program information contact Alicia Zambrano. Tel: 310 900-1600 x2779 ©2009 GlobalFastenerNews.com
Related Links:
There are no comments at the moment, do you want to add one?
Write a comment