business backgrounder | employment & workplace
Clockwise from top left: The AJAC mobile training unit
provides cutting edge tools to train students and
professionals alike. The mobile unit allows the AJAC
to bring their training to any community college and
employer in the state. Laura Hopkins, executive director
of the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee,
and Terry Hegel, AIM/MTU program specialist.
ajac
The mobile training unit is just one component of
AJAC, a statewide, state-funded nonprofit aimed at
addressing the shortage of skilled workers in the aerospace industry.
It partners with employers, state government and a variety of schools and community colleges to provide workers
with aerospace and manufacturing apprenticeships.
Employers provide on-the-job training to apprentices, who not only gain experience, but also collect a
salary — typically about half of what is paid to a fully
trained worker.
Apprentices also agree to take off-hours classroom
training, which is provided at industry training centers
and at the partner schools and community colleges.
The idea for the mobile training unit came about after officials
met with community colleges and
employers and asked them what
they need. It turned out both
groups needed classes on quality
assurance and inspection.
After brainstorming about the
best ways to deliver the training,
work began on the mobile
training unit. AJAC purchased
the trailer from Columbus, Ohiobased Farber Specialty Vehicles, a manufacturer of
mobile classrooms, law enforcement mobile command
centers, bloodmobiles and other specialty vehicles. An
advisory committee helped determine how to design
and equip it.
The result combines two elements of aerospace manufacturing that rarely mix: engineering and production.
The front end is equipped with computers loaded with
high-end design software, while the back of the unit is
reserved for testing machinery.
Now that it’s done, the mobile training unit will
serve multiple groups. AJAC will use it for apprentice
training classes, and employers from all over the state
can arrange for this classroom on wheels to visit their
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