Future of Aviation
These Milwaukee Area Technical College students check out a plane engine
that gives constant data on the computer screen above the white case. They will each get a degree that gives them expertise in more than 40
aviation-related subjects before graduating in two years, when they will move
into careers repairing planes and helicopters, running small airports or
manufacturing and engineering aviation solutions. With more than 300 aviation and aerospace companies in our state and a huge looming pilot
shortage, they are choosing an education in a high-needs field.
Fixing to Fly
This picture captures a happy coincidence. I first met Tommy when
I toured Dueco years ago. The bucket truck maker in Waukesha County has
since been sold and Tommy moved on, hoping for another job that would capture
his passion for manufacturing. He found a perfect fit at S3 International,
which repairs plane parts for private, commercial and lots of international
military jets. I was surprised to learn that militaries don't all repair their
broken or worn aircraft parts on base. In many, if not most cases for
some countries, they are sent out!
Getting a Leg Up on the Competition
In Pewaukee, no aviation or aerospace, but students were
definitely setting themselves up to soar. These high school juniors and
seniors apply and interview for spots in the special INSIGHT program, which
gives them real world work experience and committed one-on-one mentorship from
people in the careers they would like to pursue. The group I heard
present was working with a local company to improve their trade show
presence. The kids did research on the company's value proposition,
surveyed hundreds of potential customers to see what they wanted, talked to
trade show booth companies to get proposals and ultimately presented their
research back to their partner company...all experience I had to wait until
college to get. What a huge advantage for these youngsters!
Forward,
 Rebecca Kleefisch
Lt. Governor
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