Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas has several opportunities in the Aerospace industry. Please check them out.
Aerospace Educational Institutions
Metro Little Rock Aerospace Alliance
The Metro Little Rock Aerospace Alliance was the outgrowth of an original Workforce Development Task Force, launched by the Little Rock National Airport Commission and led by Commissioner Bob East. The task force began meeting in early 2007. The mission of the group was:
- To address the growing workforce needs of the regions aerospace companies
- To promote the aerospace industry as a career
- To foster the creation an Aerospace Alliance
- To recruit more aerospace industry to Arkansas and to the 11-county area represented by the Metro Little Rock Alliance organization
The task force focused on the fact that the aerospace industry is Arkansas’ number one exporter exceeding over one billion dollars in 2006, making Arkansas 11th among all states in aerospace exports. Employment at Falcon Jet and Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon) alone now totals nearly 3,000, and there is a need for 450 new employees over the next 18 months. Additionally, vendors to these companies employ hundreds more in the region, and have growth substantial potential. Because of these reasons and many more, the aerospace industry was identified in a comprehensive multi-year regional study by Angelou Economics, a respected national firm, as a target for the economic development community in Central Arkansas.
Despite the success of the Arkansas aerospace industry, the state is in jeopardy of losing many high paying jobs, and possibly companies, if the eminent workforce needs are not addressed. The Workforce Development Task Force proposed a unified approach to meet this critical need with short-term solutions - training for immediate jobs, and long-term solutions – promoting the industry as a career.
Activities for the short-term needs of summer of 2007 were focused on supporting:
1.Pulaski Technical College’s existing Aircraft Manufacturing Technology Classes
- This 256-hour instructor led course is designed to teach basic skills in aircraft completion. The main training components are cabinetry, sheet metal work, and upholstery. Students receive fundamental instructions in the basic electrical, wiring, and hydraulics and pneumatics of the aircraft as it relates to completion of the interiors.
- Classes are offered during the Fall and Spring Semesters. Students can register for Aircraft Manufacturing Technology during regular class registration. Aircraft Manufacturing Technology will be taught at the Pulaski Technical College Business and Industry Center at 3303 E. Roosevelt Rd, Little Rock, AR. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 6-10 p.m.
2.Summer Aircraft Manufacturing Course at Pulaski Technical College
- This course teaches the same curriculum as the one taught in the Fall and Spring semesters; the workload is more intense due to the shortened time period
3.UALR’s two new 5-week CATIA Software Design Engineer Classes
- Coursework focused primarily on aircraft component design issues utilizing the newest computer-aided design (CAD) software in use by the aerospace industry.
- The two classes were offered May 29 – July 3 and July 9 –August 10, “team taught” by UALR engineering professors and aerospace industry veterans focused on “real world” teaching focused on industry needs.
By adding this software to UALR’s CAD Lab, the University’s Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology (EIT) plans to supplement its current Advanced CAD engineering courses in the Fall and Spring with CATIA training modules --- extending the value of the initial cost to reach more students and make them also eligible for employment within the aerospace industry.
NOTE: Subsequently, UALR’s EIT and Pulaski Tech continued to offer CATIA courses in the Fall 2007 regular academic semester, with UALR providing an advanced course and Pulaski Tech providing an entry level course.
Activities to have long-term impact on the aerospace industry:
4.Central Arkansas Aerospace Academy
- A summer educational pilot activity that provided training for approximately 18 specially selected high school juniors and seniors. The activities were designed to increase the students’ interest in the aerospace industry. They participated in aerospace industry tours, receive an introduction to technical/production careers, and be introduced to new aerospace engineering.
- Classes were offered at the Arkansas Aerospace Education Center. This two-week program began June 18 and finished June 29, 2007. Classes met from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
5.Arkansas Aerospace Alliance
- Create a brand, “Arkansas Aerospace Alliance,” to bring all stakeholders together under one name to pool resources and assets. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission would drive this statewide organizational umbrella, with the Metro Little Rock Aerospace Alliance representing the pilot regional organization critical to the initial momentum to focus the need for such an organization.
- Members of the Alliance would meet regularly and work to address the needs of the aerospace industry, with the Metro Little Rock Aerospace Alliance developing a board structure and organization continuity as a pilot for other regional associations under the “Arkansas Aerospace Alliance” identity.
- Website would be created as a central location for information regarding the industry, through a pro-bono relationship with UALR’s Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology (EIT) and the college’s Information Technology Minor Capstone student team’s work in the Fall 2007 semester.
While the work of the original Task Force represents an important first step, the Arkansas Aerospace Alliance must be sustained for many years in the future. Long-term funding is absolutely necessary.
Below are the names of companies and organizations who have contributed to the work of the original task force which is now the pilot regional organization the Metro Little Rock Aerospace Alliance.
- Little Rock National Airport Commission
City of Little Rock
Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
Falcon Jet
Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon)
Central Flying Service
Arkansas Aerospace Education Center
Little Rock School District
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Pulaski Technical College
Arkansas Department of Economic Development
