FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
March 10, 2016
AEROSPACE FABRICATION AND REPAIR PROGRAM HOSTED OPEN HOUSE
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) Aerospace Fabrication and Repair (AFAB) program hosted an open house last week in the Aerospace lab. The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Club performed a ribbon cutting that followed remarks from NPC President, Dr. John Hogan and project manager, William Polk.
Dr. Hogan welcomed Chamber Ambassadors, NPC board members, leaders from the local
aerospace industry, leaders from local public schools, workforce and NPC staff. Polk
spoke about the new credit program in Aerospace Fabrication and Repair, “which provides
students with the entry level knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the
local aerospace industry.” Tom Butler, President of Craft Machining and Tooling (CMT)
talked about the importance of long term support for the industry through programs
like this.
Photo: Center, Dr. John Hogan and Gail Ezelle, NPC Board of Trustees at the National Park College (NPC) Aerospace Fabrication and Repair (AFAB) program open house and ribbon cutting.
The AFAB program provides students with the skills necessary for a variety of jobs in the Aerospace Fabrication and Repair industry. The program produces entry level candidates who have knowledge and skills in the production and repair of metallic and composite aerospace structures, the ability to interpret technical drawings, understand aerospace production systems and have the soft skills necessary for employment.
The program can be completed in just one year. It consists of 30 credit hours of face to face hands-on coursework that results in a Technical Certificate in Aerospace Fabrication and Repair. All hours apply toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in General Technology. Core technical subjects include blueprint reading, aerospace structure I & II, composites fabrication and repair I & II, and aerospace production systems.
Financial support for the program comes from a $1,003,000 Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, student tuition, and donations of supplies and equipment from Dassault Falcon, Triumph Fabrications, Triumph Airborne and other local companies.
The new Aerospace Fabrication and Repair (AFAB) program is housed in a newly renovated, 2700 sq. ft., lab facility with an attached classroom and $78,000 of new equipment, hand tools and supplies via the TAACCCT grant.
NPC is located in a growing aerospace hub, which is one of three aerospace hubs in the state of Arkansas. Local aerospace companies are primarily involved in either the fabrication of “build to print” parts and assemblies or providing Maintenance, Repair and Overhauls (MRO) services.
