By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The state will provide AAR Corp. an additional $2.6 million to help the company build a pipeline of future aviation mechanics for its jet-repair hub at the Chicago Rockford International Airport.
Gov. JB Pritzker visited the company’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport on Thursday to announce the latest funding, which brings the state’s total contribution to $5.2 million over two years to help AAR meet the growing demand for mechanics.
“AAR is working with educators and schools to provide people with the opportunity to pursue good-paying jobs and excellent training for highly skilled careers,” Pritzker said.
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It was one of two stops the governor made here Thursday. Two hours earlier he was at Forest City Church to discuss the state’s partnership with the city to rebuild Alpine Road.
“I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker for once again making sure Rockford has what it needs to thrive,” Mayor Tom McNamara said. “The investments in the AAR training and workforce development are critical projects to our community and our residents.”
AAR has grown from 85 aviation mechanics in 2019 to 350 today, and it expects to have more than 400 by the end of the year, according to John Holmes, the company’s chairman, president and CEO.
“We are exceptionally proud of how things are working,” Holmes said. “These are not just jobs. These are long-term careers that will be in demand, based on everything we can see, for decades to come.”
AAR also has a partnership with Rock Valley College to provide education and training for future mechanics. So far, AAR has hired 45 students from RVC, “and we have many more in the pipeline,” Holmes said. They have also hired 25 veterans through a program with Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University.
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The state funds will help support and expand workforce training and provide 80 apprenticeships. It will also finance short-term credentialing programs and incentives for experienced technicians to relocate to the Rockford area.
The airport supports roughly 21,500 jobs and accounts for an estimated $4.7 billion in economic impact, according to state figures.
“We should all take great pride in having an asset like this in our state,” Pritzker said. “When we invest in Rockford’s airport and the programs that it boasts, we invest in Rockford’s people, advancing opportunity for everyone in this region.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas