Economic development is created through business expansion and change. Review this Case Study which discusses how economic growth at United Airlines at Newark Liberty Airport creates job opportunities for local, regional and statewide residents. Using the model of civic engagement that the Newark Alliance is rooted in - bringing key stakeholders to the table - a working group has formed and Essex County College is pursuing an Aeronautics Technology Educational & Training Center to address growing workforce needs in the Transportation, Distribution, Logistics sector in the region.

AERONAUTICS TECHNOLOGY EDUCATIONAL & TRAINING CENTER - CASE STUDY :
When United Airlines (formerly Continental Airlines) expanded their international operations at Newark Liberty Airport recruitment for certain ground services jobs was relatively easy to fill with Newark local residents, however, access to the more technical jobs was challenging. Consequently, approximately 25% of the current 850 incumbent aircraft maintenance workers commute to Newark from outside of the State of New Jersey. This commuting pattern is relatively easy for airline employees due to their ability to access flights into and out of the area. However, the current shortage of aircraft mechanics in the New Jersey labor force is causing high turnover among Continental's aircraft mechanics, since the long–distance commuters who now work on the planes tend to return to their home states or other locations when the work opportunities present themselves.

Through a longstanding relationship between the principals of the United Airlines Newark Hub and the Newark Alliance conversations ensued regarding workforce needs due to United's projected economic expansion at Newark Liberty Airport. The long-term outlook indicates that workforce needs are expected to increase significantly with the addition of the new Boeing 787 to the aircraft fleet, which is completely electronic and made with a composite material. These specifications create a need for new training programs for Aircraft Mechanics. In addition, new jobs will be created to staff the new wide-body hanger that will support the expansion of United's international service. This new business activity at United Airlines will create additional job opportunities for aircraft mechanics, customer service representatives, catering, cargo services, pilots, support services as well as other positions in the Aviation Supply Chain industries.

To leverage this economic growth for the local and regional communities and on a statewide basis, the initial discussions have evolved into a focused effort involving a larger group of stakeholders to examine the current and future workforce needs in the aviation industry in general and at the United Airline Hub at Newark Liberty Airport, in particular. Thus, Essex County College is developing an academic and workforce training center to support the labor needs of aviation technology, making it the first public community college in the state to offer extensive certificate and associate's degree programs in aviation mechanics and avionics. Participants in the stakeholder group include key elected officials at the state, county and local levels, and representatives from United Airlines, Newark Alliance, Essex County College, Montclair State University, NJ EDA, New Jersey Resources, NJ Labor and Workforce Development, Amelior/ MCJ Foundation, St. Benedicts Preparatory School, and Bethany Baptist Church.

This case study is a demonstration of how ongoing civic engagement in an organization like the Newark Alliance can facilitate progressive change. Through the infrastructure of the organization it is fairly easy to convene a broad stakeholder working group from many disciplines – government, economic development, industry, workforce development, and education – and organizations to address significant issues that impact our economy and its people. BACK