FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WPMI) The upcoming arrival of Airbus will mean the arrival of jobs. This will not only be beneficial to adults, but to students as well. A program is in place for Baldwin County students to get trained in the aviation field, as well as rack up on college credits.
City, state and county officials gathered in Continental Motors' hangar at Fairhope's Municipal Airport Friday to announce a partnership between Faulkner State Community College, Enterprise State, the Fairhope Airport Authority and the Baldwin County Board of Education.
Seems all sights are set on Airbus and the promise of jobs mostly in aviation technology and aviation mechanics.
"We believe this will be another contribution that the airport can make to the overall economy," said Airport Authority Director Charles Zunk.
High school students will now be able to get a head start. Faulkner State and Enterprise State Community Colleges will provide the teachers.
"They will have multiple opportunities to choose what they want, whether it be a short term certificate or a full associates degree," said Patty Hughston with Faulkner State.
The aviation center will be built on the land owned by the Airport Authority. The training venture will be a long term lease paid for by the two colleges and the school system.
A target opening date is set for early 2014. The 15,000 square foot training center will sit on airport land at a cost of $2.5 million.
Students from Fairhope High School already enrolled in engineering classes say this will give more students an opportunity.
"This is a really good way to test whether or not you can have fun in this field, in this career area. It's just a really good way to see what you would like to do so you can use it later," said sophomore Rip Merritt.
