WESTFIELD – Westfield opened its doors, or rather hangars, to 11th grade students from the Westfield Vocational Technical High School to expose them to the aerospace industry.
Six students toured the facility for about three hours on June 6, working alongside aircraft and avionics technicians as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s “Walk In My Boots” program.
“Allowing students to see the number one corporate business aircraft in the industry shows them there are many sides of maintenance, and there are many career opportunities with Gulfstream,” Dustin Mara, mid-cabin aircraft technician, said.
While the majority of the students were studying automotive technology, the program introduced them to a different side of maintenance.
“It gave them a hands-on experience of what it’s like to walk in our shoes for a few hours. This I’m sure will prove valuable when it comes time for them to make career and learning choices in the future,”said Robert Cresenzi, avionics and electrical technician.
The tour not only focused on the maintenance side of aviation, but it also introduced students to representatives from area schools that offer Airframe and Powerplant training.
“A program similar to this is why I am currently involved in aviation maintenance,” Mara said. “This project should be allowed to continue in the future.”
“I wish this program was offered to me 18 years ago,” Mike Duris, hawker team lead, said. “It would be nice to spend a little more time with these kids during the work day. I feel three hours was just not enough time to really get them involved, but it definitely got them introduced to the business.”
Gulfstream will continue the program with Westfield Vocational Technical High School to coordinate two job shadow days in the coming year.
Westfield Vocational Technical High School director of student services, Rob Ollari, said, “It was a great opportunity for the students to see what happens in the work environment.”
