In the past I have been suggesting that shortages are on the horizon, especially over the next decade, if the expansion continues as data indicates. Maybe sooner than later.
The following news article could show that the shortage goes beyond the flight line and maintance contractors all the way back to the guys trying to build our new toys.
What do you think of the following?
Sikorsky seeking engineers
ROB VARNON
[email protected]
Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft announced Tue 18 Apr '06, it will hire more than 300 engineers in the next few months to meet expanding research and development needs for its growing military and commercial helicopter business.
Ed Steadham, a Sikorsky spokesman, said the company is redesigning its popular civilian helicopter, the S-76; is moving forward with a $3 billion contract for a new heavy-lift U.S. Marine helicopter; has orders for Army and Navy attack helicopters; and has a new developmental helicopter with two overhead rotors. He couldn't say whether the increase in engineers would lead to more production work in Connecticut.
"We have a lot of exciting programs," Steadham said, adding there is a lot of opportunity for engineers to make their mark on the future of aviation.
The company plans to hold job fairs in several states to fill positions in Connecticut, Florida, Alabama, Maryland and New York. It did not say when or where the job fairs will be.
But Steadham said the company knows it might be difficult to fill all its needs because the helicopter business is booming.
"Everybody in the industry is trying to find engineers," he said.
Sikorsky is looking for system engineers, flight controls design and analysis engineers, structural analysts, air vehicle design engineers, electrical engineers and avionics engineers, according to a company news release.
Ray Jaworowski, an analyst with Newtown-based Forecast International, said the market for engineers "is not something we delve into," but he agreed with Steadham that Sikorsky has a lot of business requiring experts.
The company not only has military orders, but also has made significant strides in capturing civilian contracts, he said.
"They're in fairly good shape," he said.
For job information visit
www.sikorskycareers.com.
Rob Varnon, who covers business, can be reached at 330-6216.