HAWTHORNE, Calif., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The aerospace fastener manufacturing industry is a global market that generates $6.5 billion in global sales. Nearly half of the global market for the production and distribution of aerospace fasteners exists in Southern California. But, in spite of rising unemployment rates in the state, the industry still faces significant challenges in keeping up with the demand and finding skilled workers. Currently, over 10,000 Southern Californians are employed by local aerospace fastener manufacturers and distributors, but many of these veteran workers hold 16-20 years of experience, and are due to retire in the next five to 10 years. The aerospace fastener industry in Southern California is projected to need 200-400 skilled workers over the next five years.

The Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) @ El Camino College, Cerritos College, North Orange Community College District, and Los Angeles Community College District have developed a unique training program to assist California-based aerospace fastener manufactures in finding solutions to the skilled worker shortage. It's the only program of its kind in the Western United States, as it exposes workers to the unique conditions of the aerospace fastener industry.

The CACT teamed with a host of industry partners including the Industrial Fastener Institute (IFI), Alcoa Fastening Systems (AFS), Bristol Industries, B&B Specialties, Click Bond, California Screw Products, LISI Aerospace, Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, PB Fasteners, Cherry Aerospace, and The Young Engineers, to form a highly specialized alliance dedicated to curriculum development. The eight-week, for-credit training program includes 96 hours of industry paid internship at a local aerospace fastener manufacturer, which allows people with virtually no manufacturing skills to achieve good paying jobs quickly.

David Gonzales, director of CACT @ at El Camino College, said, "Our Alliance industry partners found the curriculum-development process so valuable that they donated close to a million dollars of the necessary training machines to the program. Graduates will be entering the workforce with the exact skill sets that the job necessitates. Manufacturers see this program as a tremendous value, as it prequalifies people who have an interest in the industry, and provides pre-testing for basic skills before moving into the technical training."

Offered at El Camino College Compton Educational Center in Compton, CA, the first cohort of participants was filled to capacity with 24 students attending an eight-week bootcamp consisting of 320 total hours of certified job training. Several local legislators were enthusiastic about the program and its first round of graduates.

Tim Lee, a representative from Congresswoman Laura Richardson's office said, "I'm really thrilled that this program is here at Compton College; it gives us the opportunity to set a standard that others can exhibit to other districts and schools the kinds of things that can be done."

For information about the Aerospace Fastener Training Program, contact David Gonzales, Director, CACT @ El Camino College at (310) 973-3170, or Email Contact, or go to www.MakingItInCalifornia.com/aerospace.

Web site: http://www.MakingItInCalifornia.com/aerospace/