Directors Spotlight Series

FULL VERSION: Our Tour of Advanced Aerospace Manufacturing in New Hampshire

by CRTC Director Steve Rothenberg

ROCHESTER, NH - Last Friday about 55 seniors  from the Automotive Technology and Construction Technology Programs at CRTC traveled to Rochester to tour one of the most modern manufacturing plants in the country.  The plant, run by Albany International and Safran Aerospace, is using cutting edge design and manufacturing techniques to weave technical fibers into aircraft and automobile parts that are both stronger and lighter than conventional metal or laminate parts.  The company manufactures the blades and housing for the new GE LEAP airplane jet engine, which has become the standard for almost all new mid-sized planes made by the two largest aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus.

The 400,000-square foot plant was bright and spotless. Fresh air permeated every sector.   It was nothing like the 3 D’s we commonly associate with manufacturing - dirty, dingy, and dark.  Operators run high end computerized equipment that weaves strands of carbon, ceramic, aramid or other technical fibers together, then injects, heats and forms them into two parts, a $40,000 jet engine fan blade and $250,000 engine casing. .  Once manufactured, these products are subject to strict quality control standards focused on adhesion, inspection x-rays and production standards.  It’s a precision-based operation as evidenced by a recording process that demands that strict production and manufacturing records be kept and maintained for 45 years.

CRTC students also toured the nearby Great Bay Community College’s Rochester site which is solely dedicated to helping students earn an industry certificate in composite plastics.  The certificate program takes six months long and costs $6,000, and every graduating class coming through thus far has attained 100% employment in a field where yearly salaries can reach $80,000 or more in short time. Many of these jobs also carry attractive benefits, including full reimbursement for college courses. Successful workers find opportunities to quickly expand into higher paying leadership and advanced technical roles.

Our goal of the day was to show students the relationship between technical education and success in the workplace in the most vivid manner possible.  Manufacturing companies throughout the region are growing and going high-tech, and the need for workers who demonstrate a history of technical education and an enthusiasm for learning about and operating state-of-the-art equipment is growing, as well. Many of these jobs are high paying and carry attractive benefits, including full reimbursement for college courses. Successful workers find opportunities to quickly expand into higher paying leadership and advanced technical roles.  Within a few years, salaries can reach $80,000+ per year with annual travel to locations around the world for training. Rochester is the headquarters of Albany International, Inc, which operates 19 plants in ten countries, and employs almost 4,000 people worldwide.

While many students may not be attracted to manufacturing jobs at first blush, a little research shows that the opportunities available once you get beyond entry level are remarkable.  As the nation looks to broaden its manufacturing base and keep more of these high-paying jobs at home (companies like Albany International want to keep control of their intellectual property and therefore have no desire to contract with Chinese manufacturers who commonly steal patents).

The opportunities for those gearing up to enter the workforce are significant. The CRTC’s mission is to help students learn new theories and processes, and sharpen skills so that they can prepare themselves to thrive in an exciting and evolving advanced manufacturing environment, like the one they observed on this tour.  CRTC-sponsored field trips are designed to give students a look at the “real world” application of the training and techniques they develop in class. Manufacturing has changed so much in the past decade and how it can appeal to new workers so these businesses remain in the United States is an area worthy of attention.  This was a chance for us to give our students a taste of it.