FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
February 23, 2016
AEROSPACE FABRICATION AND REPAIR PROGRAM HOSTS OPEN HOUSE
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) Aerospace Fabrication and Repair (AFAB) program will host an open house March 1 at 2 p.m. in the Aerospace lab located in the Technical Sciences building. The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Club will be in attendance for a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m.
The new for-credit AFAB program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department
of Labor which provided funding for equipment, supplies and instruction. The program
gives students the skills necessary for a variety of jobs in the growing Aerospace
industry, such as sheet metal mechanic, assembly mechanic, brake press operator, composite
technician, quality assurance inspector and manufacturing planner. Students graduate
with entry level 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 the soft skills necessary for employment. The AFAB
program is housed in a newly renovated, 2700 sq. ft. lab facility with an attached
classroom. Photo: Triumph Airborne employee working on a thrust reverser.
Program director, William Polk said, “With such deep roots in Hot Springs, the Aerospace industry really needs this next step in training the workforce of tomorrow.”
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.
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.
