SALT LAKE CITY -- A need became a challenge that became the Aerospace Pathways Program, and now that program may be the ticket to high-paying work for a lot of Utahns.
It was Boeing that challenged the Governor's Office of Economic Development to create a program to train high-skill manufacturing workers for it's Salt Lake plant.
"You have a great base here, but we're gonna grow, and we want to make sure that base of skills grows with us," said Larry Coughlan, general manager of Boeing Salt Lake.
Granger High School students are the first in the state to have a chance to learn Aerospace manufacturing skills in a joint program between Public and Higher Education.
"I love working with my hands: It's a good opportunity to get a job in something I really enjoy doing," Granger Senior Josh Morrill said.
Morrill and other Granger students will have the chance to spend a semester training at Salt Lake Community College after they graduate. That semester will lead to a paid internship at Boeing, Orbital ATK, Harris, or another Utah Aerospace Company. After that, they will have a certificate saying they are fully qualified to perform manufacturing jobs in the industry.
The companies also promise to pay for other certifications and a bachelor's degree in engineering if the students want to continue their training.
The Davis School District and the Davis Applied Technology Center will be providing the same training, and the state plans to expand the program in the coming years.
"It's a good paying job, and for young people looking for an exciting opportunity to have a good way of life with a good paying job, aerospace really fits that bill," said Utah Gov. Gary Herbert.
