MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Higher education leaders from several prominent Alabama institutions will showcase their programs and ability to partner with the aviation and defense industry at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Officials from Auburn University, Southern Union State Community College and the University of Alabama in Huntsville are part of the state delegation, led by the Alabama Department of Commerce and Governor Kay Ivey’s office, at the biennial airshow that attracts aviation and defense companies from around the world. Previous shows have led to major economic development investments in the state.
Higher ed capabilities are a major part of the state’s recruitment efforts at the aerospace industry showcase.
“The University of Alabama in Huntsville plays an integral role in developing the talent, innovation and critical skills that will shape the next generation of aerospace leaders,” said Robert Lindquist, vice president for research and economic development. “The Farnborough International Airshow provides a valuable opportunity for UAH to strengthen existing partnerships, forge new collaborations and showcase the expertise that helps drive north Alabama’s aerospace ecosystem.
“Through these connections, we are helping create the opportunities, innovation and economic growth that will power our region’s future.”
Statewide effort
This is Southern Union State Community College President Todd Shackett’s third airshow as part of Alabama’s delegation. His focus is on promoting what state higher education institutions can offer the aviation industry.
Four years ago, Southern Union created an Aviation Maintenance Technology program that earns graduates Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificates.
“They are certified not only to work on aircraft, but if they can service them, they can build them,” Shackett said. “That’s my selling point.”
That program has a waitlist of potential students and graduates start their careers earning six figures, Shackett said. Southern Union recently partnered with Auburn University and its School of Aviation to build a maintenance hangar at Auburn University Regional Airport, expanding both institutions’ aviation programs.
Shackett’s message to industry leaders at Farnborough: “We’re here to help you be successful if you locate in Alabama.”
Beyond the specific aviation technology program, Southern Union is training machinists, welders, engineering technicians and more.
“We have several skills that are applicable to the aviation industry, as do many of the colleges in the state of Alabama,” said Shackett, who is on the Opelika Industrial Development Association.
“We can also sell companies on the fact that we can customize specific training to their needs,” he said.
For example, an international lumber company sends about 40 employees per week from east of the Mississippi to Southern Union for a certificate course tailored just for it, he said.
Prior to becoming Southern Union president in 2018, Shackett spent three decades in manufacturing. He has master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and operations management.
Shackett has lived and worked in five states and said Alabama has the best comprehensive approach to industrial recruitment.
“You’ve got your government officials who provide the funding; obviously, they’ve been incredibly supportive,” Shackett said. “But also, the two-year and four-year college and K-12 education folks are on board, your chambers of commerce, your industrial development people, your local municipalities. They are all really helping to drive this industrial growth and support for the state of Alabama.”
‘Talent and technologies’
Auburn will be represented this year by Steve Taylor, senior vice president for Research and Economic Development, and Jonathan Pettus, assistant vice president for Research and Executive Director of the AU Applied Research Institute in Huntsville. Their goals are to highlight Alabama’s strong education and research network to potential aerospace clients and to demonstrate how they can provide their companies with highly competent graduates in fields such as engineering, science, and business.
“Recruiting new manufacturing industries to Alabama is a team effort, and Auburn is proud to be a part of this effort,” Taylor said. “We are laser-focused on developing the talent and technologies that will help us reshore manufacturing and develop new advanced manufacturing enterprises in Alabama—strengthening Alabama’s economy and improving our quality of life.”
Auburn plans to display its technical resources in research and development and testing services to help industry solve manufacturing challenges. Leaders are also on the lookout for new opportunities worldwide where Auburn graduates might find internships or permanent careers and where graduate students could find research opportunities.
The airshow begins Monday.
