COLUMBUS – Ashley Moody was in the midst of taking mechanical cabling courses when she first heard of a compelling opportunity. At 37, the prospect of securing a lifelong career at Airbus Helicopters through FlightPath 9 Mississippi – a Flight Works Alabama pre-employment training program – was a no-brainer.
The convenience and pace of the prerequisite training provided by FP9 and East Mississippi Community College to earn an Airbus apprenticeship was unparalleled compared to traditional paths into the aviation industry.
“It was a great opportunity to jump into the aviation field and get real-life experience right away instead of being in a classroom for years,” Moody said. “It’s been great to learn in the moment with my lead teaching me exactly how to do something instead of reading it in a book.”
Ashley is one of nine in the original FP9 cohort beginning to thrive as apprentices at Airbus Helicopters. The Airbus Registered Apprenticeship program in Columbus, where Airbus helicopters are produced, is in its early stages but is already making an impact toward the company’s commitment to building a robust, local workforce to support operations in the U.S.
For Airbus Helicopters, the apprenticeship program was born out of two vital needs: providing a bridge to the community and solving a specialized labor shortage.
“We wanted to provide people in our community with career opportunities,” said Airbus U.S. Human Resources Training Manager Reggie Thornton. “Not all high school graduates want the college route. For those who want to start an aviation career now, we’re saying: ‘Here is an opportunity. We’re going to pay for your general aviation certification, train you, and set you on your path with Airbus right now.’”
Facing a shortage of aircraft technicians in the area, Airbus took the lead. Instead of searching for talent, they decided to build it.
“Why not train our own and get them in here as quickly as possible?” said Thornton.
Though the program is not yet a year old, it is already exceeding expectations. The original nine apprentices have performed exceptionally, paving the way for a massive surge in interest. For the upcoming second class of prospective apprentices, Airbus received more than twice the number of applications as last year – a testament to the program’s growing reputation as a premier alternative career pathway.
The program’s success is best told through the stories of those on the hangar floor. The inaugural cohort represents a diverse mix of backgrounds, proving that the “right fit” for aviation can come from anywhere.
Hunter Gregg joined the program for the stability an apprenticeship and career opportunity at Airbus provides his family. He already feels at home with his teammates and notes a growing camaraderie and connection among them.
Hunter credits the Airbus “3-Step Rule” (watch, collaborate and master) for his ability to adapt to a new working environment while learning the ropes.
“In an apprenticeship, you are pretty much guaranteed a job in a field that really no one knows how to do, so it sets you up for success if you follow the right steps,” Gregg said. “Airbus wants to see you grow not just as an employee but as a person.”
Lemadrick Macon, another member of the original cohort, holds a degree and has served in the military, but his ultimate goal has been to work in the aviation sector. The FP9 program, its training and the subsequent apprenticeship allowed him to achieve that goal.
“I’ve been surprised about how everything is in great detail and how professional the end result is,” Lemadrick said. “The coolest thing is when the job is completed, seeing that aircraft fly away and the smile on the customer’s face.”
The addition has done more than just fill labor gaps; it has helped revitalize the Airbus Helicopters culture. The team describes the influx of new talent as “refreshing.” These apprentices bring an energy and gratitude that is contagious.
As Airbus Helicopters looks forward to welcoming its second cohort, it is clear its apprenticeship program has become a workforce solution changing the lives of those in the Mississippi community while bolstering the workforce for many years to come.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
