Education & Training
The Educational Advantag
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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
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
Located 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.
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
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
Certifications Available:
- Exploratory Machining
- Machine Tool Operator
- CNC Operator
- Tool and Die Apprentice
- CNC Machining and Waterjet Technology
Engineering & 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
Certifications Available:
- Computer-Assisted Drafter
- Detailer
- Drafter Assistant
Manufacturing Industrial Technology/Industrial Maintenance Technology
Certifications Available:
- Fluid Power Mechanic
- Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
- Industrial Maintenance Machinists Mechanic
- Industrial Maintenance Electrical Mechanic
Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Electrical Technology
Certifications Available:
- Electrical Motor Control I
- Electrical Motor Control II
- Electrician Trainee
Aerospace/Aviation Technology
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.
