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Program cultivates homegrown [engineering] talent
Valley Press on ^ | Sunday, November 25, 2007. | JAMES RUFUS KOREN

Posted on 11/25/2007 9:34:20 AM PST by BenLurkin

As baby boomers retire, aerospace and engineering companies in the Antelope Valley need an influx of new workers - homegrown, if possible. Like creosote, mesquite and other native plant species, Antelope Valley residents have an easier time putting down roots in the dusty Mojave Desert, home to Plant 42 and Edwards Air Force Base.

"From an employer's perspective, we see much higher rates of turnover when we recruit young engineers from anywhere east of California," said Michael Huggins, chief of the Air Force Research Lab at Edwards. "They're not used to the desert environment and they're away from home."

Using grant money from the National Science Foundation, a year-old Antelope Valley College program is aiming to train the local engineers and scientists who can jump right into the valley's aerospace industry.

Students, parents and AVC faculty gathered at the school Tuesday evening to hear about those opportunities and how they can take part in the Pathways to Success program.

"The need is there; there are openings available," said Christos Valiotis, who administers the National Science Foundation grant that funds the program. "If you do a quick scan on the site of Boeing and Lockheed (Martin), you will find over 400 jobs available, just in Southern California."

The Pathways to Success program aims to help first-generation college students succeed in college and, at the same time, nudge them toward careers in engineering, science and teaching.

Valiotis said training engineers in college is only half the battle when it comes to filling industry needs.

(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Science
KEYWORDS: aerospace; aerospacevalley; antelopevalley; babyboomers; engineering; engineers; helpwanted; nsf

1 posted on 11/25/2007 9:34:23 AM PST by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

I have a buddy that works at the NV Test Site; he’s interviewing in Palmdale for an aerospace gig. He says his interviews go something like this:

“So, what are you working on at the Test Site?”
“I’m sorry, that’s privileged information. What type of work would I be doing here?”
“I’m sorry, that’s top secret.”


2 posted on 11/25/2007 9:51:44 AM PST by randog (What the...?!)
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To: randog

Hire him!


3 posted on 11/25/2007 9:54:40 AM PST by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

400 jobs available in a high-tech region isn’t many. In fact it’s pitiful.


4 posted on 11/25/2007 9:55:06 AM PST by RightWhale (anti-razors are pro-life)
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To: RightWhale

True.


5 posted on 11/25/2007 9:57:38 AM PST by BenLurkin
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To: randog

I believe it!


6 posted on 11/25/2007 10:02:03 AM PST by ReluctantDragon
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To: BenLurkin

“They’re not used to the desert environment and they’re away from home.”

So, no one from east of California, eh? I guess they’ll look in India then? ;’)


7 posted on 11/26/2007 9:07:22 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Profile updated Sunday, November 18, 2007"'"'"'"'"'"'"'"'"'"'https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

No anyone from back east is welcome.

But please don’t complain about our “too” seasons. (”Too hot” and “Too cold”). 8^)


8 posted on 11/26/2007 12:16:55 PM PST by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

;’) I really like how the temperature drops forty degrees shortly after sunset. :’D


9 posted on 11/26/2007 10:15:39 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Profile updated Sunday, November 18, 2007"'"'"'"'"'"'"'"'"'"'https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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