Fairhope, Alabama
CEREMONY FRIDAY AT HIGH SCHOOL
The official contracts to create a world-class aviation training facility for Baldwin County Public Schools students have been signed. Leaders say the Fairhope airport-based facility will be ready for students at the start of the 2014-15 school year. It will also serve adults.
"This is a historic occasion," said Dr. Alan T. Lee, Superintendent this morning. "We are excited about the opportunities this facility will create for students and adults in our area," he said.
The Airport Authority will select a builder in October.
CEREMONY FRIDAY AT HIGH SCHOOL
The official contracts to create a world-class aviation training facility for Baldwin County Public Schools students have been signed. Leaders say the Fairhope airport-based facility will be ready for students at the start of the 2014-15 school year. It will also serve adults.
"This is a historic occasion," said Dr. Alan T. Lee, Superintendent this morning. "We are excited about the opportunities this facility will create for students and adults in our area," he said.
The Airport Authority will select a builder in October.
Students across Baldwin County who have an interest in pursuing an aviation career will soon have an outstanding facility in which to learn thanks to an unprecedented new partnership.
The Baldwin County Board of Education, Faulkner State Community College, Enterprise State Community College and the Fairhope Airport Authority have come together to develop plans for an educational building at the H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport in Fairhope.
On part of the airport property, the authority will construct and own the 15,000 sq. ft. facility to be used for teaching aviation technical skills, industrial maintenance and welding to students in classes that will be established by the Baldwin County Board of Education.
Courses taught at the facility will be offered as dual enrollment classes to high school students across Baldwin County. Both high school and adult college students will have the opportunity to take courses any time. Faulkner State and Enterprise State will offer courses to both students and adults.
“We are elated by this opportunity,” Dr. Alan T. Lee, Baldwin County Public Schools superintendent. “This facility will give students a world-class opportunity and jump start their career in aviation. I am especially grateful for those who have long held the vision for such a training facility and for those who worked so hard to see this dream formalized into a plan of action,” he said.
Baldwin Schools has long-partnered with Faulkner Community College. Dr. Gary Branch, president, says the new training center is a perfect opportunity for students.
“The partnership allows both college and adult students to participate in programs with high school students interested in aviation, industrial maintenance and welding. Industry within Region 9 will benefit tremendously from a well-trained and diverse workforce,” Branch said.
Aviators with the Fairhope Airport Authority know first hand the value of a skilled workforce.
“The Fairhope Airport Authority is pleased to be a part of this unique and innovative approach to providing skill training to high school students in Baldwin County, as well as job training for adults,” said Chuck Zunk, Chairman of the Fairhope Airport Authority.
Enterprise State Community College, also a partner, has served Baldwin students for several years.
“The Alabama Aviation Center is a unit of Enterprise State Community College. We have a statewide mission to provide education and training for aircraft maintenance technicians. The college does so through the Alabama Aviation Center. We’re very excited about this partnership,” said Dr. Nancy Chandler, President of Enterprise State Community College.
The facility is expected to open for the start of the 2014-15 school year.
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