Boeing and Drake State announced today a new Technical Apprenticeship Program designed to prepare community members for careers in defense and advanced manufacturing. The program will be based on the Drake State campus and offers three distinct skill pathways, a paycheck from day one, and a clear route to employment.

A Local Opportunity with National Impact

The Boeing Technical Apprenticeship Program connects Huntsville residents to skilled trade employment in growing industries. By locating the program on the Drake State campus, both institutions are bringing a nationally significant workforce development opportunity directly into the community.

“Drake State welcomes this partnership and the apprenticeship program to our campus,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State. “The program expands our work of building economic pathways for our community members and ensuring that the growth of the advanced manufacturing sector reflects and includes the people of Huntsville.”

“The Alabama Community College System welcomes partnerships and initiatives between industry and colleges that create economic opportunities for Alabama communities,” said Jimmy H. Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. “This model addresses a critical need and supports future growth for Huntsville, but also the apprentices and trainees who will emerge from the program.”

“The apprenticeship program provides an opportunity to join our workforce at a crucial time,” said Lance Fulks, Boeing vice president of Manufacturing for Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems. “It’s a fast-track to a rewarding career for candidates and fills a need for Boeing as we seek to hire and train skilled teammates.”

“As demand grows for the PAC-3 interceptor, we are taking deliberate steps to build the skilled talent pipeline needed to support PAC-3 seeker production and production of vital hardware for other Boeing systems,” said Pierce Lehr, vice president of Boeing Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems Supply Chain and Huntsville site executive. “Through our partnership with Drake State Community and Technical College, this apprenticeship program will help develop our future workforce with the hands-on experience and technical capabilities needed for advanced manufacturing at Boeing Huntsville.”

“This new apprenticeship program is a tremendous opportunity,” said Representative Dale Strong (R-AL-5). “This partnership will invest in the skillsets that will power tomorrow’s defense and manufacturing innovations right here at home. This initiative not only creates well-paying jobs, it strengthens our community’s role as a national leader in advanced manufacturing and technological excellence.

Earn While You Learn

Participants in the program are Boeing employees from the start. While completing the four to 12-week program, depending on the selected pathway, apprentices receive Boeing pay and benefits. The program offers three pathways: Assembly Mechanics, Solder, and Quality.

Graduates who successfully complete the apprenticeship will have the opportunity to convert to a full-time position. A 90-day probationary period follows completion of the program. On-the-job training tailored to specific programs will continue after conversion, deepening the skills participants develop during the apprenticeship.

Skills, Certifications, and Career Pathways

The program is designed to move participants from training to career in a single, structured experience. Apprentices leave with hands-on skills, industry-recognized certifications, and employment in a growing field. Program graduates will support the Huntsville Electronic Center of Excellence, positioning them at the center of Boeing’s advanced manufacturing operations in the region.

The application and hiring process are managed directly by Boeing. Enrollment is now open: https://jobs.boeing.com/BTAP

Drake State Community & Technical College is celebrating a standout showing at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) and SkillsUSA Championships, held recently in Atlanta, Georgia. Competing against the nation’s top career and technical education students, Drake State’s delegation earned three national Gold Medals and one national Silver Medal, adding another chapter to the college’s tradition of workforce excellence.

National Gold Medal Winners

Andrew Hall took top honors in Barbering, earning a Gold Medal under the guidance of advisor Tralanda Tate.

Caleb West claimed Gold in CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer, advised by Calvin Rousseau.

The Chapter Display team of Josiah Kelsey, Rebecca Johnson, and Victoria Smith also brought home Gold, led by advisor Marquita Pruitt.

National Silver Medal Winner

Alexis Davis earned Silver in Esthetics, working with model Niala Anderson under the guidance of advisor Dr. Bertha Robinson.

A Strong Delegation on the National Stage

Beyond the medal winners, Drake State sent a full roster of students who earned their spots at nationals by winning their respective state championships: Cierrah Araujo, Dominque Whitefield, Jeanette Zatowski, Alejandra DeJesus, Abigail Dake, Amiya Ellis, Erica Moore, Mat Klapetek, Seth McPherson, Adam Towry, Brice Williams, and Abdoul Ouedraogo. Go Blue Eagles!

About the Competition

The SkillsUSA NLSC is the nation’s premier career and technical education event, and the SkillsUSA Championships held alongside it rank among the largest hands-on workforce development competitions in the world. This year, more than 6,800 state champions converged on the Georgia World Congress Center, competing across 115 skilled and leadership categories in a venue spanning 1.79 million square feet, roughly the size of 31 football fields.

What sets the competition apart is its connection to real industry standards. Nearly 2,000 industry professionals volunteered their time to design, administer, and judge the events, ensuring students were evaluated against current workforce expectations. For students, advisors, and the employers who partner with Drake State, that industry alignment is what gives a SkillsUSA medal its weight: it signals that a student’s skills meet the bar employers are actually setting.

“These achievements reflect the extraordinary talent, determination, and work ethic of our students, as well as the unwavering commitment of our faculty, advisors, and administrators,” said Drake State’s Skills Coordinator. “To earn the opportunity to compete at the national level requires months of preparation, dedication, and perseverance. We are incredibly proud of every student who represented Drake State and Alabama on the national stage.”

None of this happens without preparation. Fourteen SkillsUSA advisors worked alongside college administration throughout the year to ready students for both competition and leadership development, reflecting the kind of sustained, collaborative investment that defines Drake State’s approach to technical education.

While medals mark the headlines, every Drake State competitor who took the national stage demonstrated the professionalism, technical skill, and leadership that SkillsUSA and the college both work to instill. Drake State extends its congratulations to all competitors, advisors, and supporters whose work made this achievement possible, and thanks them for representing the college and the State of Alabama with distinction.

As he prepares to begin a highly coveted internship with FICO next month, Drake State student Andrew Jackson is taking a moment to reflect on the path that brought him here. A dual major in Computer Information Systems and Engineering Design, as well as a dedicated Drake State Ambassador, Jackson has made the most of his time on campus, whether studying in the library, connecting with fellow students, or representing the college at events across the state. We sat down with him to talk about his academic journey, the experiences that shaped his success, and what lies ahead as he takes this next step.

Can you introduce yourself and share the program you pursued at Drake State?

Hello, my name is Andrew Jackson, and I pursued Computer Information Systems under Ms. Lydia Owens and Mr. Chad Gross, who were two amazing instructors that helped me out in my academic and professional career. While I was in their department, I did an internship with NASA, and I really liked the mechanical engineering side of things. So, I…[pursued] an engineering design degree [as well].

How has your experience at Drake State prepared you for your upcoming internship with FICO? Are there any courses, projects, or previous experiences that played a key role?

We had the FICO Data Analytics Challenge, so last year [in] 2025, we [made] a fraud detection system which uses artificial intelligence and seeing how we can detect fraud and fraudulent transactions through banking services, so that’s what I learned the first year and this year we built a generative AI model, and I guess my success with the challenge really satisfied our mentors. This summer I will be working in San Diego, and hopefully I’ll learn something out of that cause everyone there is amazing. They all have doctorate degrees, and it’s super diverse, and it’s a very welcoming environment out there.

What makes you excited about Cyber Security?

What makes me happy about Cyber Security is [that] it’s constantly changing, one day you’re learning about something, and the next day that’s the past. I have ADHD and I can’t sit still, so having [something] constantly moving and learning new things…it’s amazing.

How instrumental would you say Drake been in your career development?

I owe everything to Drake State, in high school I was a very mediocre student, I made like Cs and Bs. Then it was my Fall semester, and I was just not doing good. I’m not trying to get emotional about it, but I got an email one night, I was this close to giving up. I wasn’t going to apply to college I was probably going to join the military or something. One December night I got a message from Azra Pepic, and she said I got put into the Jacob Frontier scholarship program. I was just a mediocre student, so I didn’t understand it at first, but just being seen and recognized really spoke to me and told me that I needed drive, to keep pushing, and keep going. That’s why I say yes to everything; you never know who’s watching!

What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming internship with FICO this summer?

This Summer I was selected for the FICO Data Analytics internship in San Diego, California. My mentors, Joe Murray and Quentin, were helpful with my success [during] the FICO analytics challenge, and they really helped me out. One night I got a message from Quentin to sign up for the internship, and I was unsure if I should have applied, but something in me told me I should…A few weeks later I was at the amusement park, and I got a call from Ms. Ashley, and she called me saying I got it…In about a week or two I’ll go to San Diego and move out there…I’m taking a leap of faith and hopefully it’s the right move and the right decision.

The internship is from the end of May to the middle of August, so I’ll be out there for about 2-2.5 months, and I’ll be learning from amazing people like Dr. Scott Zoldi. Who has around 300 patents, and hopefully he teaches me the process and I’ll learn.

This is my first time going past San Antonio, Texas, so I’ve never been out there [to the West Coast]. I’ve just been in Alabama my whole life… I’ve just been saying yes to everything while I was at Drake State, and you can’t go wrong if you always say yes.

As Andrew prepares to take on this exciting opportunity, the Drake State community couldn’t be prouder of all he has accomplished. His dedication, curiosity, and willingness to embrace every opportunity have set him apart, and they will undoubtedly continue to guide his success. We look forward to seeing all that he achieves in the months and years ahead, and we have no doubt that his future in the field is bright.

Interested in pursuing Computer Information Systems like Andrew? Click here to enroll now!

Drake State recently had the honor of welcoming executives from Leidos to the Leidos Advanced Training Complex for an up-close look at the real-world impact of their investment in workforce development.

The visit gave Leidos leadership a firsthand glimpse into the facility that bears their name and the students whose lives it is shaping. Drake State deans and faculty were on hand to walk executives through the complex and share how the state of the art space has transformed the college’s approach to technical education. But perhaps the most compelling part of the visit came from the students themselves, who spoke directly to how the facility is preparing them for careers in some of today’s most in-demand fields.

For many students, the Leidos Advanced Training Complex isn’t just a classroom, it’s a launchpad. Equipped with cutting edge technology and designed to mirror real world industry environments, the facility gives Drake State students a competitive edge before they ever set foot in the workforce. Hearing that story told by the students who live it every day made for a powerful testament to what industry and education can accomplish together.

Drake State is deeply grateful for Leidos’ continued commitment to the college and to the broader mission of workforce development in the region. Their investment goes far beyond bricks and mortar; it represents a belief in the potential of Drake State students and the communities they will go on to serve.

Partnerships like this between business and education create strong pipelines to industry and increase students’ access to opportunities. We are proud to partner with Leidos and look forward to seeing what the future holds!

Drake State celebrated a major milestone this week as eleven outstanding students officially committed to the college’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program during our second annual FAME Signing Day. The excitement in the room was palpable as each student stepped forward to sign their commitment, surrounded by proud family members, dedicated faculty, and enthusiastic industry partners eager to welcome the next generation of skilled manufacturing professionals.

The event marked a pivotal moment for each signee, who will spend the next two years earning while they learn through Drake State’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician program. This unique earn-and-learn model sets FAME apart from traditional educational pathways, giving students the rare opportunity to graduate not only with a degree, but with two years of real-world industry experience and a professional network already in place. In partnership with industry leaders Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing, Toyota Alabama, Brown Precision, Bruderer, and Blue Origin, students will gain invaluable hands-on experience in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing technology — all while earning a paycheck and building toward a rewarding and stable career.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Dean of Instruction Dr. Carolyn Henderson and FAME Program Director Dr. Myron Parks, who welcomed the newest class of signees into the Drake State family. Both speakers emphasized the transformative nature of the FAME program and the immense potential each student carries with them as they embark on this journey. Their words set an inspiring tone for the celebration, reinforcing Drake State’s deep commitment to student success and workforce development. The inaugural FAME cohort, who just completed their first year in the program, were also present to welcome their successors. These returning students shared words of wisdom and encouragement with the incoming class, offering a firsthand perspective on what to expect and how to make the most of the incredible opportunity ahead. Their presence served as a living testament to what the FAME program can accomplish in just a short amount of time.

Representatives from the program’s industry partners were also on hand to greet the students who will soon be joining their teams. Their attendance underscored the strength and authenticity of the relationships between Drake State and the regional manufacturing community, partnerships that are built not just on contracts, but on a shared belief that investing in people is the most powerful investment of all.

Following the ceremony, signees and their families were treated to a tour of the Leidos Advanced Training Facility, the state-of-the-art space that will serve as home base for the next two years as these students sharpen their technical skills and prepare to enter the workforce. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and designed to mirror real industry environments, the facility is a powerful reminder of the quality of education and training students can expect throughout the program.

Drake State’s FAME program continues to grow in both size and impact, reflecting the college’s unwavering dedication to providing accessible, high-quality pathways to meaningful careers in advanced manufacturing. With industry partnerships as strong as these and students as driven as this incoming class, the future of manufacturing in our region is incredibly bright. We cannot wait to watch them shine.

Drake State Community and Technical College is proud to announce a generous investment from Google, further strengthening our mission to provide transformative educational opportunities. The Drake State Tech College Foundation has been awarded two significant gifts from Google: a $30,000 sponsorship to support our annual Gala event and an unrestricted $50,000 gift to enhance student scholarships and education programming.

These contributions underscore Google’s commitment to investing in key community partnerships that promote education, workforce development, and social impact. The funding will play a crucial role in expanding opportunities for our students and ensuring the success of future initiatives that benefit the communities we serve.

“We are incredibly grateful for Google’s support,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State. “This partnership will allow us to continue our mission of providing high-quality education and workforce training, ensuring our students have the resources they need to succeed.”

Drake State looks forward to continued collaboration with Google as we work together to create meaningful opportunities for students and the broader community.

Stay tuned for updates on how this funding will enhance our programs and support student success.

For more information about how you can support Drake State, visit drakestate.edu.