Everett Community College’s AMTEC hosts aerospace roundtable
U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02)
EVERETT, Washington, August 31, 2021 – Rep. Rick Larsen, chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, and Elliot Black, director of airport planning and programs for the US Department of Transportation, met with local aviation industry executives at Everett Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training & Education Center (AMTEC). Buildings on Friday, August 20, for a round table discussion on the aerospace industry in the Pacific Northwest.
Attendees included Brandon Anderson from SPEEA, Michael Hannon from Bridgeways, Yaara Livne from MagniX, Carlos Veliz from Commercial Aircraft Interiors, Dave Bowen from Aviation Technical Services, Terrie Battuello from Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Robert Olson from Waypoint Aeronautical, Kevin McKay from Senior Aerospace AMT, Brian Canfield from the Pacific NW Aerospace Alliance, Dean Williams from Castle & Cooke, and Dr. Daria Willis from Everett Community College.
Representatives from these companies shared their achievements and innovations, as well as the impact of the pandemic on their businesses and employees.
The pandemic has caused an estimated 100,000 job losses nationwide for unaided aerospace workers, and 220,000 additional jobs are at risk of leave.
Larsen to attend AMTEC at Everett Community College on August 20, 2021 | Lynnwood times
In March, Rep. Larsen introduced the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (AMJP) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help aerospace supply chain workers who have been or are threatened with leave due to the pandemic, to provide temporary relief, and has recently reopened the application process through September 1st.
The aim of the AMJP is to support eligible companies financially and to pay up to half of their compensation costs for certain categories of employees for up to six months. In return, the company must make several commitments, including the fact that the company will not involuntarily release or fire employees of this group during the same six-month period.
Elliot Black, Director, Airport Planning and Programs, US Department of Transportation
“We can’t afford to let this industry falter,” said Black. “It is absolutely crucial that this industry remains vital and recovers.”
Black has been in the aviation industry for more than 28 years, including more than half with the Federal Aviation Administration. He was appointed Director of the Department of Transport’s Aviation Industry Job Protection Program on March 19, the Friday after the ARPA was passed on March 11. He spent this weekend immediately outlining the data to be collected from applicants.
Larsen and Black hope that by reopening the application process, they will receive a lot more than the 360 or so applications from the first round. Black’s office has reached out to businesses through multiple mechanisms, including email, 14,000 postcards, and social media explosions.
“We are doing everything we can to make sure everyone is aware of this program and what to do to apply,” Black told the Lynnwood Times.
While many of the companies participating in the round table experienced setbacks from the pandemic, there was also a surplus of achievements within the industry.
Dr. Daria Willis from Everett Community College
MagniX, for example, opened an Everett plant about a year ago and has hired around 30 employees in the past year and a half, while doubling the number of female employees, especially engineers, in an area typically dominated by men.
“We are moving in the right direction right now and are currently competing on good terms with many other companies in the region,” said Yaara Livine.
After the discussion, Dr. Willis and Herman Calzadillas, Dean of AMTEC at Everett Community College, took a tour of the AMTEC facilities to introduce the latest in aerospace technology and programs on offer at the college.
“We just look forward to continuing with the advanced workforce in manufacturing and making sure we get our students not just jobs but careers as well,” said Dr. Willis.
The 54,000-square-foot facility opened in 2014 and offers programs to help students get back to work while they train on the latest manufacturing technologies. Everett Community College’s AMTEC faculty teams go beyond the typical classroom setting to mentor students through hands-on, collaborative projects and offer programs such as precision machining, mechatronics, manufacturing prep, engineering technology / engineering, composite technicians, and welding and manufacturing.
“That is phenomenal. I think the facility is great, ”Black told the Lynnwood Times. “They are clearly staying on top of the industry with the technology, and I think the fact that they are working in partnership with the industry is phenomenal.”
AMTEC’s on-site recruitment agencies work directly with students and employers to place graduates in jobs. Employment agencies meet with students individually to tailor résumés, research companies and jobs, and practice interview questions. They also offer classroom job preparation workshops on navigating the job market, using social media for professional networking, and transitioning from college to work. With over 200 manufacturing employers in Snohomish County, many companies are hiring graduates such as B. after the programs of the AMTEC of the Everett Community College.