GE Aerospace apprentices graduate from Rutland site

Nine apprentices recently graduated from the Advanced Machinist/Toolmaker apprentice programme at GE Aerospace’s site in Rutland, Vermont (the USA), after three years of learning machining and manufacturing skills while attending technical classes. This year’s graduating class marked the 50th anniversary of the Rutland apprenticeship programme, which has now seen 348 individuals graduate.

Dan Shelley, site leader for GE Aerospace’s Rutland facility, which produces compressor blades and vanes for almost every jet engine in GE Aerospace’s product line, said: “Through a combination of hands-on learning and fully subsidised classes, our apprentices have the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the workforce. They are the future of GE Aerospace and Rutland.”

GE Aerospace pays for the 14 classes of instruction apprentices receive through Vermont State University; concurrently, apprentices gain 6,000hr of on-the-job training at the Rutland site. Mentors with decades of experience guide the apprentices in ‘building expertise in highly technical machining practices and skills with foundational manufacturing equipment’.

Manufacturing talent pipeline
Rutland’s apprenticeship programme supports GE Aerospace’s long-term efforts to strengthen the manufacturing talent pipeline and invest in GE Aerospace employees. Rutland also offers additional structured training programmes that include credited classes. These include a ‘Maintenance Apprentice Programme’ as well as ‘Technical Masters Programmes’, that allow individuals to gain advanced skills in automation technology programming, inspection technology, and numerical control programming.

In 2024, more than 800 individuals will take part in a GE Aerospace programme or sponsored effort for individuals to gain skills needed in aerospace manufacturing. Furthermore, earlier this year the company announced plans to invest $24.9 million in the Rutland site; this will be spent on new equipment, machines, and tooling to support increased production of commercial aircraft engines, along with military and fighters jet engines.

GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of about 44,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines. The company has a global team of 52,000 employees.