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Community Corner

Jefferson College Part of Boeing Missouri Aeorspace Consortium

Jefferson College is one of five Missouri community colleges in the St. Louis metropolitan area to participate in a Missouri Aerospace Training Consortium announced by Governor Jay Nixon that aims to train thousands of Missouri workers for advanced manufacturing jobs at Boeing and other aerospace companies.

Governor Nixon said the consortium, which includes East Central College, Jeff...erson College, Mineral Area College, St. Charles Community College, and St. Louis Community College, would give Missouri another competitive advantage in its efforts to win production of the Boeing 777X.

Consortium members offer many programs that are related to aerospace manufacturing such as aerospace production and assembly, robotics and automation, precision machining, and welding. The colleges also have specialized facilities including an aerospace composites assembly lab, an aerospace mechanical/electrical lab, an aerospace metal structures lab, as well as capacity in general classroom space, offices and computer labs. Members of the consortium also committed to making their best efforts to ensure that at least 10 percent of training participants consortium-wide are minorities. Other public colleges may join the consortium as additional training needs are identified.

“The Missouri Aerospace Training Consortium will have the capacity to train thousands of Missourians for high-demand, high-wage jobs, and it will strengthen existing relationships community colleges and manufacturers throughout the state,” said Dr. Raymond Cummiskey, Jefferson College President and Missouri Community College Association Chair. “I speak for all of my community college colleagues when I say that we're looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work on this exciting new partnership.”

Boeing already has nearly 700 suppliers and vendors in 24 counties across the state. Production of the Boeing 777X would expand opportunities for these and other suppliers, creating jobs and growing local economies throughout Missouri.

State responses to Boeing's RFP are due by Dec. 10, with a decision by Boeing expected by mid-January.

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