HOT SPRINGS- Governor Mike Beebe said today that Arkansas two-year colleges are working hard to build partnerships with the aerospace industry that will benefit the State’s future.  The Governor made the remarks at the Governor’s Aerospace Summit at the Hot Springs Convention Center.  The Summit brought together nearly 200 industry leaders, government officials, and educators to speak candidly about the progress and needs of the aviation and aerospace industry in Arkansas.  The event was organized by the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) Aerospace Training Consortium.

“Aerospace is a great example of higher education and industry working together,” Beebe said. “These kinds of partnerships will ensure that our two-year colleges help create a 21st-century workforce that will provide rewarding careers for Arkansans, and attract well-paying, high-quality jobs to our State.”

Industry leaders served as Summit panelists and speakers, including John “Denny” Holliday of Lockheed Martin, John Miller of Dassault Falcon Jet, Ethan Benso of the Canadian Consulate General, and Ben Quevedo of Aviation Repair Technologies.  Professor Edmond Davis, author and professor of history at Arkansas Baptist College, presented a summary of the 100 year history of Arkansas aviation, beginning with the first documented flight in Arkansas in 1910.  Milton P. Crenchaw, Sr., 91 year old Tuskegee Airman from Little Rock, was introduced as a special guest.

Artee Williams, Director of the Department of Workforce Services, made opening remarks.  William “Bill” Walker, Jr., Director of the Department of Career Services, introduced the Governor.

The U.S. Department of Labor granted $2.9 million to the AATYC Aerospace Training Consortium in 2008 to launch the project “Flying into the Future” to expand aviation and aerospace skills’ training in Arkansas.  The Consortium originally included eight two-year colleges, with the UA Community College at Batesville as the lead college.  Since then, the Consortium has expanded to include thirteen two-year colleges. 

Consortium accomplishments include acquiring state-of-the-art equipment for training to benefit hundreds of students, the addition of eight FAA-licensed instructors, and new scholarship programs at four colleges with Airframe and Powerplant programs.  The Consortium is considering the development of a new two-year Aerospace Engineering Technician degree, and has begun planning for a national model for youth and adult apprenticeships.

According to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, aviation and aerospace remained Arkansas’ number one value-added export in 2009, with exports totaling more than $1.67 billion.  Arkansas’ aerospace industry employs more than 12,000 people, and there are more than 130 aerospace related companies in the State.  As a result of the high skill level of workers, average earnings are higher in the aerospace sector than in most other industries.  Arkansas’ two strongest aerospace sectors are completion centers and defense contractors.