Important Announcements
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Pulaski Tech Expansion to Meet Growing Aerospace Needs
Arkansas' aerospace industry needs about 350 more workers right now and demand just keeps on growing. But a $1 million grant is helping to provide more trained workers right here in central Arkansas.
Senator Blanche Lincoln came to town Monday to announce that the U.S. Commerce Department is giving Pulaski Tech's Aerospace Technology Center a $1 million grant. Combined with other funding, the grant will help pay for a $3 million expansion next to the current facility.
The big check will help Pulaski Tech pay for big plans, 25,000 square feet worth of plans. Senator Lincoln said, "it's an investment in human capital, an investment in the community, and an industry."
The new hangar will house new classrooms and offices and provide enough room for 350 students. That will be up from 175 who were enrolled this past school year.
"We look forward to that new facility. It's gonna give us a little bit more elbow room," says student Mike Adams.
Adams graduates in May, but his training already landed him a job at Dassault Falcon Jet. He says the earning potential for himself and his classmates is vast. So are the job opportunities. "Central Arkansas has so many facilities that are worldwide," he said.
Students go on to work at Dassault Falcon, Hawker-Beechcraft and Central Flying Service: all local employers. So the investment of training stays in Arkansas. Pulaski Tech prepares students to accommodate the businesses that need them.
"We're right at the table with them furnishing them with exactly what they want. We customize it based on what they tell us they want," said Pulaski County Tech President Dr. dan Bakke.
In this case, new courses are on the way training students in everything from aviation software to aircraft painting in addition to the current aircraft maintenance. And students like Mike Adams look forward to soaking up all the knowledge in this new facility.
Dr. Bakke hopes to announce the contractor by July, start construction soon after, and have the expanded facility open by January of 2009.
LaBARGE AWARDED $4.5 MILLION AGREEMENT WITH RAYTHEON ON UPGRADED MISSILE LAUNCH SYSTEM
ST. LOUIS, May 21, 2008—LaBarge, Inc. (AMEX: LB) has secured a multiyear agreement with Raytheon Missile Systems to provide complex cable assemblies for the upgraded Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Weapon System. For fiscal 2008, initial releases under the agreement total approximately $1.4 million. The total anticipated value of the agreement for LaBarge through 2011 is $4.5 million. Production on the contract has begun at LaBarge’s Berryville, Ark., operation.
The RAM system is one of the world’s most modern ship self-defense weapons, designed specifically to provide exceptional protection for ships of all sizes. The system was first designed to destroy anti-ship missiles and has evolved to be able to engage helicopters, aircraft and surface threats. RAM is installed, or planned for installation, on more than 100 ships in the navies of the United States, Germany, South Korea, Greece and Egypt. Since its initial deployment in 1993, RAM has demonstrated extraordinary reliability in the fleets. The cables built by LaBarge will be used in the RAM launcher.
LaBarge, Inc. is a broad-based provider of electronics to technology-driven companies in diverse markets. The Company provides its customers with sophisticated electronic and electromechanical products through contract design and manufacturing services. Headquartered in St. Louis, LaBarge has operations in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas. The Company's Web site may be accessed at http://www.labarge.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect management's current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such statements due to a variety of factors that could adversely affect LaBarge, Inc.'s operating results. These risks and factors are set forth in documents LaBarge, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports it files from time to time. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date such statements were made, or as of the date of the report or document in which they are contained, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such information.
Arkansas University to Offer Aerospace Summer Coursess
Southern Arkansas University Tech of Camden, Arkansas will offer an online course titled Aircraft Mathematics, Physics, and Drawing (Course number AM 1023) this summer for the extended summer session, beginning May 28, 2008 and running through August 5, 2008. The course is designed around practical applications and provides an excellent foundation for students to build on with additional training. The course also may serve as a refresher or prep course for those who have fulfilled experience or training requirements and are preparing for taking their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airframe and powerplant certification tests. SAU Tech hopes that with the success of this course the FAA may consider revision of regulations to allow approval of the internet method of course delivery, thereby opening up more opportunity for training the workforce of this ever expanding industry. To register for the course, contact Amy Perrin or Tammy Larkins at (870) 574-4527, fax (870) 574-4434, or email aperrin@sautech.edu or tlarkins@sautech.edu .
"Aerospace Supplier Picks Paris"
Nearly two months after Logan County lost its largest employer in Cargill Meat Solutions, the county took a step up from the ashes Wednesday when KAT Manufacturing Inc. announced plans to locate its first manufacturing facility in Paris
Arkansas Aerospace Alliance Next Step
Members of the Arkansas Aerospace Alliance can click on this article title/headline to review the prioritized issues . You will use your member email address to login. If you are eligible to become a member of the AAA but haven't done so, you can return to the home page and click on the "Members" section to register. Upon approval of your membership you will be able to login using your member email address.
Aviation Repair Technologies announces state-of-the-art facility in Blytheville
BLYTHEVILLE, Arkansas (March 26, 2008) – Aviation Repair Technologies (ART) will open an airframe and engine repair facility at the Arkansas Aeroplex in Blytheville. The company will invest $20-million and will employ 310 people within three years. The average salary for those employees will be approximately $20 per hour.
Arkansas Aerospace Summit Results
Members of the Arkansas Aerospace Alliance received their user IDs & passwords via email & can click on the link to review the results of the summit & rank the issues to prioritize action.
If you are eligible to become a member of the AAA but haven't done so, you can return to the home page and click on the "Members" section to register. Upon approval of your membership you will receive an email with your user ID & password.
Pulaski Technical College Announces $1.5 Million DOL Grant for Aerospace Industry
U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and Representative Vic Snyder (AR-02) joined Pulaski Technical College President Dr. Dan F. Bakke today to announce that the college has been awarded a $1,506,652 competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The funding is part of the Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative designed to help community colleges equip workers with the skills needed by growing local industries.
The Aviation Job Market: How to Find- and Keep - the Right People!
A company is only as good as its people - an old axiom that's particulary true in the high-tech, high-stakes business of aviation. And yet, aviation companies in all niches continue to report a chronic inability to recruit, train and retain sufficiently skilled workers.
Governor Beebe's weekly column and radio address: Arkansas Aerospace
"Arkansas Aerospace." These two words, placed side-by-side, smash into bits 175 years of myth and stereotype about our state. Arkansas is currently ranked 13th in the nation in aerospace exports.
