Flying High for New Careers in Aviation Technology

美国劳工统计局预测，从2020年到2030年，飞机和航空电子设备机械师和技术人员的总体就业率将增长11%，高于所有职业的平均水平。预计在过去十年中，平均每年将有大约14,400个飞机和航空电子设备机械师和技术员的空缺。公共政策与经济发展研究所发现，宾夕法尼亚州东北部的人口挑战减缓了该地区的经济增长，同时估计该地区对航空机械师有需求。约翰逊学院将开发和实施一个联邦航空管理局（FAA）批准的航空技术副学士学位课程，成功地招募和培训学生，以满足航空业不断增长的，必要的区域和国家高科技劳动力发展的需求。项目目标包括建立一个工作机场为基础的培训实验室;关系，使退伍军人谁希望培训的一部分，他们过渡到平民生活;和教师发展活动，以保持与联邦航空局的做法目前。其他目标包括扩大学院与行业的合作伙伴关系，以提供培训和职业指导;扩大学院与区域学区和职业技术中心的双招生计划;以及开发或参与初中/高中职业意识活动。航空技术两年制副学士学位课程将帮助学生填补航空业越来越多的重要职位。该课程将与最新的FAA技术和教育要求保持一致，以便毕业生在最高水平上准备通过FAA许可证，并满足对航空技术机械日益增长的需求。学生将从各种不同的背景，包括以前的兵役，年龄，性别，种族，文化，经济和教育经验招募。预计开发的计划将为希望创建类似计划并满足其自身区域劳动力发展需求的机构创建可复制的格式。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于推动国家经济的先进技术领域的技术人员的教育。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 14,400 openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development found that Northeastern Pennsylvania’s demographic challenges slow down economic growth in the region while estimating there to be a regional need for aviation mechanics. Johnson College will develop and implement a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved Aviation Technology associate degree program that successfully recruits and trains students to fill a growing, essential regional and national high technology workforce development needs in the aviation industry.Project objectives include the establishment of a working airport-based training laboratory; relationships to engage military veterans who desire training as part of their transition to civilian life; and faculty development activities to remain current with FAA practices. Additional objectives include expansion of College-Industry partnerships to provide training and career guidance; expansion of the College’s dual enrollment program with regional school districts and Career Technology Centers; and development of or participation in middle/high school career awareness activities. The Aviation Technology two-year associate degree program will prepare students to fill a growing number of essential positions in the aviation industry. The curriculum will align with the latest FAA technology and education requirements so that graduates are prepared at the highest level to pass FAA licensure and meet the growing demand for aviation technology mechanics. Students will be recruited from a variety of diverse backgrounds, including prior military service, age, gender, race, cultural, economic, and educational experience. It is expected that the program developed will create a replicable format for institutions looking to create a similar program and meet their own regional workforce development needs. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the Nation's economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.