June 1, 2012, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS An innovative partnership among aerospacecompanies, educational institutions and regional leaders will develop more engineers,scientists and technicians for the growing aerospace industry that is facing a national talentshortage.

The Rockford region, a leading aerospace cluster in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin,has created the Joint Institute of Engineering & Technology-Aerospace (JiET-A). JiET-Aprovides high school and college students in the region a path to engineering degrees,including high-quality paid internships at leading aerospace companies. The initiative wasannounced at a news conference on May 23, 2012 at Kaney Aerospace.

The aerospace cluster includes more than 200 companies, from Boeing's corporateheadquarters in Chicago to four tier-one suppliers in Rockford and numerous companies upand down the supply chain. JiET-A is the latest example of the Rockford areas governmentand educational leaders working with companies to ensure their business success in the 21stcentury. Companies made it clear to community leaders that developing and recruiting qualifiedaerospace engineers, scientists and technicians is a key to their growth.

How it works

The regions new Joint Institute of Engineering & Technology-Aerospace (JiET-A) connectsaerospace companies to four colleges and universities where post-secondary students participate in high-quality internships that are integrated into their academic curriculum. WhenJiET-A students graduate, they bring valuable skills and experience into the regionalaerospace workforce. One-on-one mentors from aerospace companies are also part of JiET-A.Students can also apply for scholarships from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinoisand the participating higher educational institutions. JiET-A enhances students experiencesand guides them to successfully transition from school to the aerospace workforce.The participating colleges and universities are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, NorthernIllinois University, Rockford College and Rock Valley College. Internship opportunities areavailable at B/E Aerospace, Comply365, GE Aviation, Hamilton Sundstrand (a UnitedTechnologies company), Kaney Aerospace, Woodward and more.

Industrys Role

Representatives from the regions two largest tier-ones, Hamilton Sundstrand and Woodward,are part of the JiET-A steering committee. Hamilton Sundstrand provided a loaned executive tohelp coordinate the initiative and recruit companies for internships and mentorships. Thefollowing aerospace company representatives spoke at the May 23 news conference that wasattended by 100 community leaders.

GE Aviation Systems General Manager Carlos Miller said, We are quite impressed with whathas been created, the JiET-A Initiative. As a member of the aerospace industry, we welcomethis innovative and collaborative way of taking control and helping to shape the future. GEAviation is excited about adding interns through this effort and we know it will be good for theentire region.

Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Systems Director of Engineering Tom Gillis added, Theaerospace industry is facing a perfect storm with the engineering shortage and the long-termgrowth mode of the industry. The JiET-A program will enable our region to develop our owntechnical workforce to meet these growth opportunities, and to continue providing the goodpayingjobs that improve our local economy and quality of life.

Woodward Aircraft Turbine Systems Vice President of R & D and Systems Terry Voskuilnoted, Woodward is excited about this initiative. We need to create and fill a pipeline ofengineering talent to propel our future growth in Rockford.

Go here to see the original:

Growing Aerospace Cluster Builds Up Its Own Talent Pipeline