CV-TEC, Beta launch new certification program

PLATTSBURGH | Four CV-TEC students are the first to take an Aerospace Coatings Applicator Specialist (ACAS) certification course, in collaboration with electric aerospace company Beta Technologies. These students were carefully selected from CV-TEC's auto body collision repair program to participate in this advanced certification pathway. It all started about a year ago when Beta Technologies approached CV-TEC about collaborating. Director of Career and Technical Education for Champlain Valley Educational Services Michele Friedman said that at the first few meetings, they discussed how education is approached in the North Country. She said CV-TEC was immediately interested in making the program work but didn't currently have any aircraft-related training. "In those conversations, and subsequent conversations, we realized that all of those pieces were in place, but I think the most significant component was that initial meeting, where we really found that even though different sectors, we were very much aligned in our philosophical approach to education, workforce development, and ultimately the success of our business and industry partners," Friedman said. This 10-week program will provide students with hands-on experience that will prepare them to work in the electric aircraft industry, wherever they go. However, Beta Technologies Team Member Blain Newton hopes they stay in the area and work for Beta. "There is an awful lot of talent density in this region," Newton said. "Unfortunately, a lot of these kids don't think there's an opportunity to stay here when they get out of school." Newton believes they can build a strong workforce by continuing to put more students through the program and creating partnerships. "Folks with this certificate make about double the hourly rate as a regular paint specialist," Newton said. "So it's an incredible opportunity, and you don't learn how to paint or how to build composites or anything else happening here from a book, you learn it by doing it." Students will learn how to use highly specialized FAA-regulated painting materials alongside Beta's Aerospace Paint Industry experts. On their first day of class, Feb. 13, students went to Beta's Plattsburgh facility for orientation, where they all got to fly over to Beta's Burlington facility in one of their electric aircraft. Once they arrived they learned all about Beta's mission, vision and beliefs. "Their philosophy, their mission, vision, their core beliefs, are very closely aligned to our CVES mission, vision and core beliefs and I think that's why this partnership is so strong right from the get-go," Friedman said.

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CV-TEC, Beta launch new certification program

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