Education fair brings new opportunities to work force

  • Published
  • By Andrea Stephens
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) hosted this year's third annual education fair at the Arnold Lakeside Center (ALC).

Around 100 employees and their families came out to this year's event and met with representatives from 23 colleges and universities in Tennessee, Alabama and throughout the United States.

Many of the schools that were present provided solutions to the students of where they can go to get financial help, whether it is from assistantships, grants, loans or even scholarships.

"The education fair has allowed many individuals the opportunity to see what college courses and programs are being offered and to personally speak with school representatives one-on-one," said Dee Wolfe, education training specialist at the Arnold Education Office.

She said the goal is to bring schools to a central location where employees can receive a variety of information. Wolfe said the education fair helps make for a better educated work force.

"Our industry relies on 'self starters'," AEDC Commander Col. Michael Panarisi said. "Even as far back as the Wright Brothers, you'll find an entrepreneurial spirit in aerospace. In this business, if you aren't always looking for ways to improve your skills, or learn about the latest developments in technology, you will be left behind."

In 2009, 22 schools were invited to attend the education fair; this year over 50 schools were invited to be a part of the event. The education fair, which was open to all AEDC employees and their family members, not only benefitted the employees but the company and the community as well, according to Jeannie McFaddin, chief of work force development for the DoD population at AEDC.

McFaddin said the date of the education fair was moved back this year in order to allow the family members at AEDC to bring in high school juniors and seniors before school starts back.

The education fair is beneficial to the employees of AEDC by helping them become more aware of what programs and schools are available, Suzanne Luthi, program administrator at ATA's tuition assistance center said.

"Everything is not available online, but when you get to actually meet with a person from that school you feel a connection and that they want to help you get more information than just clicking and going online," Luthi said.

Wendy Shelton, administrative assistant for Performance Management, said the education fair has made her more aware of the opportunities that are available to include some of her interests: marketing, project management and overall management.

Shelton is currently completing her bachelor's degree through one of the universities that participated in the education fair and strongly believes that the benefit of continued education will open more doors for everyone in the future.

Next year AEDC is hoping to provide the same opportunity to the surrounding areas, such as Manchester, Tullahoma and Winchester. The education fair would reach a much larger population and would greatly benefit the individuals of the community, according to McFaddin.

"I've been here three years and this is the third one [education fair] and we're getting better every year," McFaddin said.

"I'm extremely proud of our teammates that take on the challenge of higher education," Colonel Panarisi said. "They are making an investment in themselves, and the nation reaps the benefit,"