Imagine stepping out of the classroom and into the real world of careers and industries, where every month, high school students gain firsthand experience with the professions they may one day pursue. That's the heart of the Gateway to Great Careers program, an innovative initiative designed to connect students with career opportunities and give them the tools they need to make informed decisions about their futures.
Gateway to Great Careers hosted its second industry tour with Gulf Shores High School on October 9th, taking 18 students to tour education and career opportunities within the aviation field. These tours take students on a journey beyond textbooks and traditional lessons.The program is more than just a field trip; it’s an immersive experience that allows students to interact with professionals, observe daily operations, and engage in hands-on activities that offer a true taste of each career path.
The day began on a school bus headed for Mobile. Coastal Alabama Community College houses the Alabama Aviation Center at Brookley Field, where students experience hands-on instruction with 15 courses focused on the ins and outs of aircraft maintenance, allowing students to choose programs from Airframe to Powerplant Technologies. These courses offer Alabama’s lowest tuition in accredited courses, and prepare students to take and receive the Federal Administration Admission (FAA) certification.
Most of the students on the tour are in the Aviation Academy at Gulf Shores High School. Their eyes lit up when Aviation Director Dave Mosow discussed the many opportunities within the industry. “Within the field of aviation there are around 140,000 or more jobs short of where they used to be, much contributing to people retiring and strict FAA requirements. Due to the shortage, many prerequisites for attaining a job after FAA certification required on-the-job experience, which can now be offered through an apprenticeship,” said Mosow. The students toured seven different simulation labs, from fuel lines and hydraulic systems to turbine fuel systems.
Next stop was Collins Aerospace in Foley, the leading aerospace manufacturer in the world, with 70 locations globally. Collins serves many industries within the field of aviation, from commercial and business aviation, to military and defense, and even deep space.
Craig Miller is the Senior Analyst for Op Systems and Aerostructures, and discusses how he began his career at Collins as a mechanic, and how far he has moved up the ladder in the last 14 years. He taught the students about how Collins Aerospace came to be, and how it became the largest aerospace manufacturer in the world. He then led the students on a tour through the two main final assembly lines, with almost 1,000 employees at their Foley location alone.
Career exploration is a crucial part of preparing students for life after high school. Many students graduate unsure of what path to follow, but Gateway to Great Careers provides clarity by showcasing a wide variety of fields. Students not only gain knowledge about the types of jobs available but also about the skills and education required to enter those fields. They can see how classroom learning translates into real-world applications and begin to visualize themselves in future roles.
Gateway is very grateful for our investors and partners to help make this opportunity happen for our local students in south Baldwin County! To learn more about how you or your business can be involved, please email tyler@gatewayinitiative.com.
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