AEROSPACE ' S GREATEST ASSET
Investing in People:
AEROSPACE ' S GREATEST ASSET
By Kirk Davis— Center for Advanced Manufacturing Puget Sound( CAMPS)
From Kitty Hawk to Cape Canaveral, education has played a critical role in the progress of aerospace. The Wright Brothers didn ' t just invent a flying machine; they studied the principles that made flight possible. That same mindset continues today, as evidenced by the move to missions to Mars and the drive for innovations in jet propulsion. However, forward thinking doesn ' t happen only in labs. It occurs on factory floors, in technical classrooms, and at every level of the production process. In aerospace, the companies that lead are those that invest in people.
Kirk Davis
Executive Director, CAMPS
CENTER FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PUGET SOUND
This focus defines our work at CAMPS, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Puget Sound. We are a network comprising over 250 manufacturers, training providers, and educational institutions. We aim to strengthen the manufacturing sector by connecting businesses with practical training resources, creating collaborative partnerships, and helping people access meaningful career pathways.
Right now, the need is urgent. Experienced workers are retiring, and production timelines are becoming increasingly tight. Instead of waiting for job-ready applicants, many of our manufacturing members are taking the initiative to build the talent they need. CAMPS education organizations, including the Washington Aerospace Training & Research( WATR) Center, the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center( AMSC), Apprenti, Clover Park Technical College, and the Machinists Institute, are leading that charge. These partners work directly with the industry to align training with actual job requirements, equipping new and current workers with the skills employer value most.
42 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS