Georgetown, Del., Oct. 24, 2006: Sussex County government today announced it is working with the state’s largest community college and a local manufacturer to create an aviation training program that would bolster Delaware’s labor market with more highly skilled and specialized workers.

Sussex County Council, Delaware Technical & Community College and PATS Aircraft LLC are in the early stages of forming a partnership to create an airframe mechanics associate’s degree program as part of the curriculum offered at DelTech. The program would be the first of its kind in Delaware, allowing students to receive the training they need to become certified airframe mechanics without having to go to schools as far away as Washington, D.C.

Airframe mechanics are trained to work on all parts of an airplane, with the exception of the engine, propeller and instruments. The Federal Aviation Administration certifies airframe mechanics, all of whom must be trained in an FAA-approved program. No such program exists in Delaware today.

The announcement was made during the Sussex County Council’s weekly meeting, at the County Administrative Offices building in Georgetown.

Incoming County Administrator David B. Baker said the establishment of such a program is vital to the continued success of companies like PATS Aircraft, and could help the county expand the number of businesses at the county-owned airport and Sussex County Industrial Airpark near Georgetown.

“There’s a real need for this kind of training right now, and this would help meet the need,” said Mr. Baker, noting PATS Aircraft currently needs as many as 40 skilled airframe mechanics.

“Sussex County is pleased to be part of a solution that helps our businesses and our economy grow, and at the same time affords our residents new opportunities.”

The program would begin January 2008 at the earliest. While details of the agreement among the parties involved still must be worked out, the partnership would have DelTech developing the curriculum, with Sussex County government providing space at its Sussex County Airport. PATS Aircraft, meantime, would provide technical assistance, as well as lend the use of some of its facilities and resources for training.

Mark Ryan, vice president for hangar operations at PATS Aircraft, located at the Sussex County Industrial Airpark, said the partnership is a good opportunity for the business community, the education community and the local government.

“I think what we’re trying to do here is get some home-grown mechanics, people who don’t want to leave the area, but want a good job,” said Mr. Ryan, whose firm installs auxiliary fuel tanks in large corporate jets.

Dr. Ileana Smith, vice president of DelTech and the campus director at the Owens Campus in Georgetown, said the formation of the program is the result of teamwork among the private and public sectors. PATS Aircraft this past spring proposed that DelTech create the program, with input and assistance from the company.

“That’s our job, to be responsive to the market demands of the community,” Dr. Smith said. “That’s what Delaware Tech is about.”