Middletown, Connecticut, December 2, 2019 No-College-Debt
and high paying salaries is music to a parent’s ears… and it should be. Middletown Public Schools (MPS) is leading
the way in Connecticut by founding a new Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing
program aimed at providing students with high-tech, employable skills in ‘new
collar’ careers needed RIGHT NOW in Connecticut. “We are Middletown, home of the Pratt &
Whitney Engine Factory, Aerospace and Manufacturing is who we are,” says Paul
Pelletier, Aerospace and Manufacturing Instructor.
Beginning
fall of 2020 Middletown High School will add two survey courses in Aerospace
& Advanced Manufacturing to its Career and Technical Education (CTE)
offerings. Students will be able to earn college credit and industry
certifications, as well as touring industry partner facilities, attending
summer intensives, and learning about career opportunities in the region.
On Friday, December 6,
2019, as a precursor to the launch of the Aerospace & Advanced
Manufacturing program, all 300 eighth grade students from Woodrow Wilson Middle
School will have the chance to experience a Robinson R44 helicopter ‘up close
and personal’ on the field opposite the school beginning at 9am. The Robinson
R44 is the most manufactured helicopter in the world today. Its mission ranges from law enforcement, to
news media, executive transportation, agriculture, tours, and rescue. On hand
to answer questions will be Tom Barclay, Director of Maintenance for Lifestar
(30 years, RET), Dan Colt, Assistant Chief Pilot, Northeast Helicopters,
Katelyn Gardiner, Civil Air Patrol Cadet, and Paul Pelletier, Aerospace and
Manufacturing Instructor, Middletown High School. The helicopter represents the opportunities afforded by
the aerospace industry, literally the sky’s the limit for students willing to
invest their time and energy in the field.
David
Reynolds, Coordinator of CTE at MPS noted, “There is such a need in Connecticut
in aerospace that many companies will pay for college for motivated employees
that want to work in their high-tech facilities. These businesses are flush with high-tech
gadgetry that is fun and interesting to students. It is a Win-Win.”
Richard
Aboulafia, Vice President of Analysis at Teal Group and keynote speaker at the
November 20, 2019 Aerospace Components Manufacturers Association trade show
noted, “There is absolutely no place in this business
for anything that’s not ...high skill or high
wage.”
The
new initiative ties directly to Middletown Public Schools’ Strategic Operating
Plan: Middletown 2021 Keys to Innovation and Equity, Unlocking the Potential of
ALL Students, that outlines the
district’s collective journey focused on preparing students for the competitive
global market of the 21st century and strives to position itself as the most
progressive education enterprise in the state.
Dr.
Michael T. Conner, Superintendent, Middletown Public Schools stated, “One of
our district strategies emanating from the Strategic Operating Plan is to
establish successful education models that promote choice and achievement
through innovation. The new Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing program is a
teacher and administrator driven initiative that will position our students for
success in the marketplace and in life. I applaud their efforts in launching
this landmark initiative.”
For
inquiries regarding this initiative please contact The Office of the
Superintendent, Middletown Public Schools, 860.638.1422.
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