‘Aviation Workforce Training Stimulated’

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VVC secures $837,500 grant

VICTORVILLE – As part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the local workforce, Victor Valley College has secured an $837,500 federal grant to train 150 auto and aircraft technicians — in part by funding that city officials called a vital expansion of the Southern California Logistics Airport School of Aviation Technology. … (Continued below) …

… From the Daily Press, Jan. 29, 2010, By Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer … (Continued below) …

…VVC is the only agency in San Bernardino County of 13 agencies across California to earn a share last week of $10.7 million in federal stimulus funds through the “Industries with Statewide Need” program.

After a possible VVC partnership with the aviation school’s founders fizzled over funding disagreements several years ago, VVC has renewed ties by including the aviation school in its grant proposal. In addition to funding VVC training programs for hybrid and diesel vehicle technicians, $312,000 will go to the SCLA aviation school to implement a new course and fund tuition for an additional 30 students.

“This grant for the school is critically important,” said Victorville Economic Development Director Keith Metzler, who oversees operations at SCLA. “It’s vital to the continued success of the school. It’s certainly going to allow us to expand our programs.”

The aviation school is an 82-week program that will make its students licensed A&Ps, or airframe and power plant technicians authorized to do maintenance, repair and overhaul work on commercial aircraft.

At a conference announcing the VVC grant on Thursday, 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said the program will help ensure high-paying careers for local residents, and called the school “the biggest feather in our cap in this region, I think for a long time.”

“We have to ensure its long-term stability, so I am committed to helping us do that,” said Mitzelfelt, who worked with the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board to secure several hundred thousand dollars toward the school.

The aviation school, which opened for classes in February 2009, was developed by the nonprofit Victor Valley Aviation Education Consortium, comprised of county and airport officials and private tenants conducting business at SCLA.

Initially VVC officials developed a curriculum that could have complemented the aviation school’s certification program and offered community college credit, according to VVC President Robert Silverman.

“We started out as partners and we developed, at the college’s expense, courses and curriculum for the aeronautics program. We did that in consultation with the people who are building the airport school …” Silverman said.
But when the state of California slashed student enrollment funding and VVC couldn’t contribute as much financially, Silverman said negotiations over funding the school between the college and city didn’t work out.

“We have no animosity, but budget restraints drove us apart,” said Jim Worsham, one of the aviation school’s founders.

Moving forward , VVC is using some of the grant money to hire a career specialist to ensure aviation students find jobs upon completion of the program. VVC will also assist with financial aid and counseling, with Victorville city officials saying they’re open to considering VVC playing a larger role in the program down the road.

Both the aviation school and VVC training programs aim to cultivate a better-trained workforce prepared to tackle new technologies and replace aging workers as they retire.

Acco rd i n g t o Worsham, the average A&P technicians is 56 years old.

The schools’ graduates can earn an estimated $40,000 per year to start, with job opportunities at the SCLA aviation companies and beyond, or transfer their credits to a four-year aeronautical university.

Worsham said the school has already received interest in 125 applicants for the 30 spots available in the new course.

The first class of 56 students is expected to graduate by the end of the year, and Worsham said he’s optimistic he’ll help each of them quickly land careers.

“There is no shortage of jobs available for trained aviation technicians,” he said.

Natasha Lindstrom may be reached at (760) 951-6232 or at nlindstrom@VVDailyPress.
com.

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