FARNBOROUGH, England — Colleges and universities across Alabama have played a key role in building the state’s aerospace industry, and they were back at it this week at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow.
Representatives from the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the University of South Alabama, Auburn University and the Alabama Community College System were part of the state delegation that met with key aviation and aerospace industry executives.
The purpose of their presence was to build relationships with company leaders, so that they always serve as a reminder of the workforce and research benefits Alabama offers, said Jo Bonner, vice chancellor for economic development at the University of Alabama System.
“These companies that are looking to grow need the kind of students that we’re graduating. They need relationships with the kind of faculty that we have, who specialize in engineering, composites, new energy sources and more,” he said.
“Having our academic representatives at the air show gives Governor Ivey and others from around the state an added resource, a secret weapon, if you will.”
Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, believes having university experts at Farnborough to talk with companies about research partnerships and talent development is an advantage for the state.
“For Alabama to maintain its forward trajectory in aerospace, we have to be attractive to companies that want to develop new technologies and want to find a state where they can have strategic partnerships with universities and other research organizations to help them perfect processes and bring them to scale for production,” he said.
Auburn University, for example, has targeted additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, as a key focus for its engineering department. Both Auburn and the University of South Alabama has worked with Airbus.
RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION
Alabama universities are deeply engaged in helping to shape the future of the global aerospace industry. Current research includes studying the use of sensor technologies in the aviation field, as well as a new form of propulsion that would revolutionize deep space missions.
Attending the air show also gives educators a first-hand look at the products and technologies that companies want to bring to Alabama, Bonner said. That’s helpful in efforts to adapt individual classes or broad programs in support of a project’s workforce needs.
Bonner said the growth of the aerospace industry in Alabama has been nothing short of amazing. From major manufacturers to small suppliers, there’s a rich diversity in the landscape of the sector, which is spread among communities across the state.
He likened the growth to that of the state’s automotive industry, which has thrived on the strong performance of Alabama workers.
“Twenty-five years ago, when Mercedes-Benz located in Vance, it gave us not only an opportunity but a reason to focus on training a very highly-skilled workforce to put the world’s best automobiles together. That skill set and that talent is equally important in putting the world’s best airplanes and rockets together,” he said.
Neal Wade, director of the University of Alabama’s Economic Development Academy and chairman of The Aerospace Alliance, said educators were also key in the recruitment of Mercedes.
“The University of Alabama played a major role in the courting of Mercedes. The company knew the university was going to be a major partner if they located near Tuscaloosa,” he said.
PROMOTING PARTNERSHIPS
Wade said that’s the message that he and other university colleagues are promoting at Farnborough.
“The thing you want to demonstrate is that there are partnerships throughout the state, and if you choose to come to Alabama, all of those partnerships can be brought in to support you,” he said.
“That’s the signal you want to send to these companies: We’re not just going to get you here and leave you. We’re going to support you throughout your growth, and the universities can bring very skilled and talented resources to assist you.”
