Utah Aerospace Pathways Program Expanding to Iron County School District

Pete CodellaNews

News Release
For Immediate Release

April 26, 2016

Contact:
Michael Sullivan
GOED Communications Director
801-538-8811
mgsullivan@utah.gov

Utah Aerospace Pathways Program Expanding to Iron County School District
Major aerospace industry partner to hire student’s right out of high school

SALT LAKE CITY, UT— In a press conference held at the Cedar City Airport, Governor Gary R. Herbert today announced the expansion of Utah Aerospace Pathways (UAP) program to the Iron County School District in Cedar City.

Utah Aerospace Pathways started last September in Davis and Granite School Districts. The success of the program has created a “best practice” model for the expansion to Iron County School District. This unique program has brought aerospace industry representatives, education leaders and government together in an unprecedented collaboration.

“The Utah Aerospace Pathways program expansion into Cedar City provides a great economic impact for Iron County,” Gov. Herbert said. “This innovative program is addressing our state’s skilled labor force demand and is a model for the rest of the nation.”

Iron County School District students will have the opportunity to receive training in a three trimester program during their senior year in high school. The first trimester of the aerospace manufacturing certification will take place in the high schools, while the second trimester will require specific content learning from Southwest Applied Technology College (SWATC). Students will then be able to participate in an internship with MSC Aerospace during the last trimester their senior year.

“MSC Aerospace not only builds complex aircraft components for the U.S. Military and companies like Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin—the company also builds the fastest, highest flying, longest range light jet in the world,” said Whitney Clayton, CEO of MSC Aerospace. “To do that, we need a top-tier, highly skilled workers. We are honored to be partnering with the state of Utah and other distinguished companies within the Utah Aerospace Pathways program, and also with Iron County School District and SWATC to train workers to join our team.”

Upon completing the UAP program, students will be certified to begin work with one of the aerospace partners in Utah. It is anticipated that the majority of the Iron County students will interview for jobs with MSC Aerospace in Cedar City or use this experience to launch into their post high school education plans. As students begin their career, they have the option to receive additional training and advance their career in metal manufacturing. Students certified in Iron County may also pursue opportunities with other UAP industry partners in the Salt Lake area.

“Offering our students quality education and career opportunities is vital to building a strong local economy,” said Brennan Wood, president of SWATC. “This collaboration not only offers innovative training, but it also prepares students to enter the job market or return to college for additional training.”

The program’s launch has been made possible through the dedication and commitment of several organizations throughout Utah, including the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Department of Workforce Services. Iron County School District, SWATC, and the State Office of Education (USOE) have also worked through the educational requirements, developing the curriculum and providing teachers and school career counselors with the necessary materials.

The six other aerospace industry partners in Utah are Albany Engineered Composites, Boeing, Hexcel, Hill Air Force Base, Janicki, and Orbital ATK. All partners will continue to collaborate on aerospace workforce needs statewide.

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Governor Gary R. Herbert with Utah Aerospace Pathways students.

About the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED)
Web: business.utah.gov

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) charter is based on Governor Gary Herbert’s commitment to economic development statewide. Utah’s economic development vision is that Utah will lead the nation as the best performing economy and be recognized as a premier global business environment and tourist destination. The mandate for this office is to provide rich business resources for the creation, growth and recruitment of companies to Utah and to increase tourism and film production in the state. GOED accomplishes this mission through the administration of programs that are based around targeted industries or “economic clusters” that demonstrate the best potential for development. GOED utilizes state resources and private sector contracts to fulfill its mission.  For more information please contact:  Michael Sullivan, 801-538-8811 or mgsullivan@utah.gov