Sat, Jul 03, 2004
Chief Phillip Martin
signs deal to train 500 workers to make wire harnesses
The Mississippi Choctaws have signed an agreement with
AgustaWetland to train 500 workers to make wire harnesses for their
helicopters. Two manufacturing plants on the Choctaw reservation in
Neshoba County may be converted for the project, according to Chief
Phillip Martin.
One of the plants was previously producing wiring harnesses for
the Ford Motor Company, but the tribe outsourced that work to
Mexico over a year ago. The tribe also manufactured radio speakers
but that work was also outsourced, to China.
"I believe in the near
future most automotive manufacturing jobs will be outsourced,"
Martin said, in a story published by Forbes Magazine. "This is our
chance to convert from low-tech to high-tech manufacturing, which I
believe will be the better paying jobs of the future."
AgustaWestland, the second largest helicopter maker in the
world, is competing with Sikorski Aircraft for a contract from the
Department of Defense in December for the manufacture of 23
presidential helicopters.
"Workers with automotive experience have the basic skills needed
for far more complex aerospace harnesses that function as the
helicopters' central nervous system," said AAI Corp. president
Frederick Strader. AII signed another agreement with Chief Martin
to train the Choctwas to make and use aerospace test equipment.
"Frankly, we use so many components bought off-the-shelf that the
any large facility can function as a plant once we find the right
people."
"Getting qualified to work on aerospace contracts is an exacting
process so we see this as a long term commitment, 10 or 15 years at
least, to the Choctaws," AgustaWestland president Stpehen Moss
said. "It's an entry point for the Choctaws into aerospace
contracts."
More News
Maximum Authorized Altitude A published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or route segment. It is the highest altitude on >[...]
Aero Linx: Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) The Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) is the Training and Safety arm of the Soaring Society of America (SSA). Our mission is to provide ins>[...]
From 2013 (YouTube Version): Dracula Lives On Through Kyle Franklin... and We're NOT Scared! ANN CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Jim Campbell speaks with Aerobatic and airshow master, Kyl>[...]
“For Montaer Aircraft it is a very prudent move to incorporate such reliable institution as Ocala Aviation, with the background of decades in training experience and aviation>[...]
Also: ForeFlight Upgrades, Cicare USA, Vittorazi Engines, EarthX We have a number of late-breaking news highlights from the 2024 Innovation Preview... which was PACKED with real ne>[...]