Education & Training

aerospace


The Educational Advantagaerospace educatione

Due to the high concentration of Aerospace in Kentucky, many post-secondary institutions offer programs tailored to the industry.  The Kentucky Community & Technical College System has the capacity and expertise to offer programs at any campus statewide.  Three universities near the One East Kentucky region offer Aerospace specific engineering and mechanical programs.

In addition, the new eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute will provide a seamless transition for former coal workers into metalworking trades needed in the Aerospace Sector such as CNC Operators, Technicians and Machinists.  You can read more about all of these programs below.

 

eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute

East Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute

The Haas Technical Education Center Network is an industry & education led initiative that enables manufacturing technology educators and their schools to acquire the latest CNC machine tools and related CNC ancillary equipment, software and educational materials.  The East Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute is the latest HTEC program and will provide students with a relevant high tech and hands-on educational experience.  The first students will be former coal industry workers transitioning to new industry.  The program will graduate work-ready CNC machinists, programmers & engineers for today’s industrial employers as well the manufacturing challenges of the future.  HTEC Members can tap into a network of over 1700 institutes as well as nearly 100 CNC Technology Partners, who are pledged to support CNC Education.

The HTEC program is certified by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).  NIMS operates under rigorous and highly disciplined processes as the only developer of American National Standards for the nations metalworking industry.

 

Morehead State University Space Science Center

moreheadLocated in the Eastern Kentucky community of Morehead, MSU’s Space Science Center conducts research in the following areas:

  • Space Systems Development
  • Small Satellites and CubeSat
  • Micro & Nano Technologies
  • Space Communication Systems

 

University of Kentucky College of Engineering

At an hour and a half drive from the One East Kentucky region, the UK College of Engineering offers a the Aerospace Option in their Engineering Certificate Program.  This program focuses on multidisciplinary experience in aerospace systems and specializations to prepare them for the aerospace workforce.  Below is a sample of the courses for this program, or visit the website by clicking here.

kentucky college of engineering

Course Include:

  • Senior Design, Aircraft or Spacecraft
  • Gas Dynamics
  • Mechanical Vibrations
  • Systems Engineering
  • Composite Materials
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Advanced Strength of Materials
  • Basic Combustion Phenomena
  • Scale Modeling
  • Spacecraft Propulsion
  • Flight Mechanics
  • Aerodynamics of Turbo-machinery

 

Aerospace Support Programs at Community/Technical Colleges

More than 14,000 students are currently enrolled in technical and community college programs at three colleges in our region.  The following programs are offered to support the Aerospace Manufacturing Sector:


Welding Technology

welding

Certifications Available:

  • ARC Cutter
  • ARC Welder
  • AWS National Skills Standard Level 1
  • Gas Welder
  • Gas Metal ARC Welding
  • Gas Tungsten ARC Welding
  • Pipeline Welder
  • Production Line Welder
  • Shielded Metal ARC Welding
  • Tack Welder
  • Welder Helper

Machine Tool Technology

machine tool

Certifications Available:

  • Exploratory Machining
  • Machine Tool Operator
  • CNC Operator
  • Tool and Die Apprentice
  • CNC Machining and Waterjet Technology

Engineering & Electronics

egineering electronics

Certifications Available:

  • Automation Technology
  • Computer Maintenance Technician
  • Electronic Technician
  • Electronics Tester
  • Industrial Electronic Technician
  • Instrumentation Technician
  • Maintenance Technician
  • Mechanical Technician
  • Robotics and Automation Tech

Computer-Aided Draft and Design Technology

computer aided design

Certifications Available:

  • Computer-Assisted Drafter
  • Detailer
  • Drafter Assistant

Manufacturing Industrial Technology/Industrial Maintenance Technology

manufacturing industrial

Certifications Available:

  • Fluid Power Mechanic
  • Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
  • Industrial Maintenance Machinists Mechanic
  • Industrial Maintenance Electrical Mechanic

Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Electrical Technology

manufacturing engineering

Certifications Available:

  • Electrical Motor Control I
  • Electrical Motor Control II
  • Electrician Trainee

Aerospace/Aviation Technology

aviation

Programs Available:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Aircraft Structures
  • Aircraft Powerplants
  • Airframe Maintenance Technician
  • Powerplant Maintenance Technician

 

About the Aerospace Alliance 

The Aerospace Alliance of East Kentucky (AAEK) is a partnership of two like-minded economic development organizations, One East Kentucky and the Ashland Alliance, as well as the regional utility provider, Kentucky Power. The goal of this partnership is to recruit aerospace industry to East Kentucky. The region served by AAEK includes eleven counties and five industrial parks with more than 10,000 available, skilled workers due to a decline in the coal industry. The work of AAEK has led to this region being certified as AeroReady™. The goal of this organization is to recruit and locate prospective companies to this region while connecting them with low-cost labor, educational institutions, and meaningful incentives.

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