Wright State University will lead a new initiative with industry to grow Ohio’s aerospace and defense workforce.
Ohio will invest $11.4 million in the effort over two years with funding contained in the biennial budget signed by Gov. John Kasich.
The Wright State Research Institute, through its Defense Aerospace Graduate Studies Institute, will work with its sister institutions of higher education to build an aerospace curriculum that links education and training, research, technology commercialization, and new job creation for the Dayton region and the state of Ohio.
State Sen. Chris Widener, R-Springfield, said the funding will build on the successes already achieved to create high-quality aerospace and defense jobs in the region.
“With Wright State’s leadership, this money is aimed at increasing research that results in the commercialization of aerospace technology and at boosting graduate education to fill the pipeline with talent to feed emerging and growing businesses,” Widener said.
“This is a great example of how a university can partner with private businesses in order to fuel economic development,” said Jim Petro, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents. “Wright State University will serve as the lead for institutions in the University System of Ohio along with the Air Force Research Laboratory and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in developing programs for an emerging workforce that align with aerospace and defense-related needs.”
“Through our Wright State Research Institute, Wright State is honored and pleased that the Ohio Senate and the State of Ohio have asked us to serve as the lead on this important workforce development initiative with our regional and state partners to create new jobs,” said Wright State President David R. Hopkins. “We accept the challenge and will work aggressively to turn this research funding into new technologies, products, and jobs.”
