Goodwill’s YAP Exposes At-risk Youth To The Aerospace Industry

Ralph Lopez might look like an average college freshman. He’s tall, affable, and confident, but he’s anything but average. Ralph attendsthe Advanced Manufacturing Training & Education Center (AMTEC) at Everett Community College. The 37,000 sq. ft. facility is home to the program’s 200+ students, faculty, and staff. AMTEC offers 2-year degree and certificate programs that train students for careers in advanced manufacturing, helping drive workforce and economic vitality for western Washington. Ralph learned about AMTEC through Goodwill’s Youth Aerospace Program (YAP). YAP recruits students through college and career counseling programs at their high schools. Ralph visited the center at his school, and a counselor recommended he attend an informational session about YAP. He remembers that day clearly. “If I didn’t go that day, I most definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.” Mark Mendez, the Youth Aerospace Program Supervisor, recalls the first time he met Ralph at orientation. “You could hear the passion in his voice when he talked about aerospace.” The YAP is a two-year program available to at-risk students beginning the summer after their junior year in high school. The first year is focused on exposure to the aerospace industry with a heavy component of what Goodwill calls “soft skills.” Soft skills are often less tangible than other educational competencies, however they have a big impact on how students behave, and are therefore perceived. Students learn the importance of showing up on time, goal setting, digital footprint management, financial literacy, and social etiquette. The part of the training that gets students most excited is the opportunity to visit local aerospace companies. According to Mark, “there’s nothing more powerful than bringing young people to a space company to inspire them to study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.” Mark believes these field trips help students discover a passion that will lead to a life-long, self-sustaining career. A trip to Boeing was especially inspiring for Ralph. “I saw the machines, how fast they were moving, how they made the parts-and I was just fascinated. I wanted to know more about it.” Encouraged and empowered by his visit to Boeing, Ralph enrolled in the Precision Engineering certificate program at AMTEC..”The Youth Aerospace Program helped me narrow down my options, so now I have a clear cut path to my goals.” In five to seven years, 50% of the aerospace workforce is eligible for retirement. There are 1,300 aerospace-related companies in the state of Washington, and the aging workforce will leave behind a lot of opportunities for young people here in our state. When Ralph finishes his certificate in Precision Engineering at AMTEC, he will become an integral part of Washington’s economy, but more importantly, Ralph will have options he wouldn’t have had otherwise. Because of the YAP, Ralph’s life is changed. “You can actually pick and choose where you want to go in life. I can control what I’m going to be right now.” For more information about Seattle Goodwill please go to www.seattlegoodwill.org.