Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1481988
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2022 | maconmagazine.com 41 students that live on campus, they live, study, and work with students in other programs. So, a flight student may be rooming with an air traffic control student and can help each other out with understanding terminology. They're able to learn from each other even in just casual conversations." MGA also has a satellite aviation campus at the Downtown Macon airport for flight instruction. There is no doubt that people who go into the aerospace industry have a very serious job. They're responsible for making sure aircraft works, operates efficiently, and gets from point A to point B safely. They're responsible for keeping a society running with travel and transport, whether they're flying the plane or maintaining it. Educators at MGA and Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) are training the next generation of aerospace engineers and offer some of the best programs in the country. For some students at CGTC, going through a technical college to get their dream job was a no-brainer. "They're snatching them up before we can get them graduated," said CGTC aircraft structural technology instructor Jeff Wells. "We've had so much industry move back into the airport, we can't get enough students out to fill those positions. They're getting job offers before they graduate." If all goes as planned, Corey Smith, 30, will be graduating from the Aviation Maintenance Technology program in the summer of 2023. Smith drives from his home in McDonough to the CGTC campus at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport five days a week. While the drive is more than an hour long each way, Smith said it's worth it to train for a career he'll love and hopefully have for the rest of his life. "Aircraft maintenance is a great long-term career field with great benefits and great pay," Smith said. "I've always been around tools and other equipment, so it just seemed like the right fit. My dream is to work for Delta and become the youngest lead mechanic." CGTC offers both Aviation Maintenance Technology and Aircraft Structural Technology programs in partnership with Delta, Boeing, and Robins Airforce Base. These partnerships make these programs that much more extensive and intensive so that students are already getting quality hands-on experience before entering the workforce. "We have students who have stayed close by and work right here at the airport at Embraer, and others have already expressed interest in working at MHIRJ (Mitsubishi)," said CGTC Aviation Maintenance Technology instructor Daniel Whitehead. "We've had representatives from those industries come out to meet with students, get resumes, and have mock interviews with them as well." CGTC's campus at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport and MGA's use of the Downtown Macon airport are examples of how Macon-Bibb County is helping grow the aerospace industry. The Middle Georgia Regional Airport is already making plans to expand the airport's runways and make some renovations. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Central Georgia Technical College. "I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AROUND TOOLS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT, SO IT JUST SEEMED LIKE THE RIGHT FIT. MY DREAM IS TO WORK FOR DELTA AND BECOME THE YOUNGEST LEAD MECHANIC." - COREY SMITH