Welding courses at Wayne Community College lead to AAR jobs
By From staff reports
Published in News on January 8, 2013 1:46 PM
Through a successful public-private partnership with Wayne Community College, global aerospace and defense leader AAR has designed an eight-week welding certificate program to address a shortage of welders at AAR Mobility Systems.
It typically takes a year to earn a welding diploma at WCC. Under the customized curriculum, incumbent workers from AAR who complete the course can test for their welding certificate and immediately increase their salaries by as much as $4.50 per hour.
Six AAR employees have successfully completed the program and two have gone on to earn their one-year welding diploma from Wayne.
AAR Mobility Systems manufactures specialized equipment used by military to transport troops and supplies around the world. The Mobility workforce consists of entry-level laborers, welders, painters and machine operators. Welders are the most difficult positions to fill.
AAR also teamed up with Wayne Community College to develop an Introduction to Manufacturing Course for the general public to build a pipeline of talent. Classes began on Oct. 29, and the curriculum includes soft skills training.
"Students who are more on the career track than the college track need access to skills training options to pursue good-paying jobs and advance in the workplace," said Diane Ivey, Director of the Wayne Business and Industry Center. "It's important for educational institutions to work closely with business to ensure that what we're teaching matches industry needs so our students are work-ready."
The fast-track welding curriculum also is available to non-AAR employees through Wayne Community College's adult continuing education initiatives. Most recently, AAR worked with local industries and the college to develop an Introduction to Manufacturing course designed to prepare students for manufacturing careers.