Education center announced

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced plans Wednesday to create the Alabama Aviation Education Center, a hands-on instructional facility to be located near the Airbus aircraft manufacturing facility in Mobile. The center aims to bolster Alabama’s workforce development efforts and inspire young people to pursue careers in the state’s growing aerospace cluster. The Aviation Education Center, developed in partnership with Airbus, will provide aviation-themed activities and STEM-focused educational programs to visitors. The $6.5 million facility at the Mobile Aeroplex will feature classrooms, workshops and innovation rooms, along with exhibits, aircraft models, videos and more. Airbus will play a central role in developing the educational programs. It will be managed and operated by Airbus Americas Inc. Airbus will collaborate with educators, universities and other aviation companies operating in Alabama to develop flight-themed educational programming for the center. The facility will be open to the public, with a minimal entrance fee to help offset its operating costs. The center is receiving $5 million in funding from the governor’s office and Airbus is directing $1.5 million to the center from AIDT reimbursements for job training. Airbus' Alabama manufacturing facility anchors a rapidly expanding Gulf Coast aerospace corridor. (Source: Governor's Office, 05/03/17)