Recognizing the importance of the aerospace industry as a major economic driver, the Rockford Area Aerospace Accelerator Project (RAAAP) was created to accelerate innovation, job creation and global competitiveness in the robust aerospace cluster in Rockford, Illinois. In collaboration with regional aerospace industry leaders, a coalition of higher education, economic development and workforce development professionals developed a regional aerospace growth system focusing on four key goals: product innovation, branding, high-tech and engineering workforce pipeline and entrepreneurship. The group was awarded one of 20 federal Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (JIAC) grants to support its efforts. The project is led by Northern Illinois University with the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, Rock Valley [Community] College, EIGERlab (small business incubator/acclerator), and the regional Workforce Investment Board. Private sector members of the Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN) are actively engaged in the project, providing valuable input, helping to facilitate linkages with regional companies and providing critical support of key project elements. A key innovation arising from the collaborative work of the JIAC grant was the creation of the Joint Institute for Engineering and Technology – Aerospace (JiET-A). This initiative unites higher education providers and local aerospace companies in a joint effort to streamline the academic and career development pathways for local students so that the community is working together to “grow its own” engineering and high-tech workforce. View the full case study at: http://universityeda.org/value-to-members/best-practice-sharing/awards-of-excellence/2014-awards-of-excellence/awards-of-excellence-2014-finalists/joint-institute-for-engineering-and-technology-aerospace-jiet-a/

1. Joint Institute for Engineering &
Technology – Aerospace
JiET-A
Rena Cotsones, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Engagement and Innovation
Partnerships, Northern Illinois University
and
Janyce Fadden, Executive in Residence, University of North
Alabama and Former President, Rockford Area Economic
Development Council

2. Setting the Context
• NIU engagement efforts in the Rockford area focused
on
– Educational attainment
– Workforce development
– Innovation
• Close working relationships
– Community college
– Economic development council
– Businesses
– Local government
• Collaboration for regional benefit
• Linking and leveraging existing assets and
strengthening networks

3. Identifying and building the aerospace cluster
• NIU research illuminated the impact of the
aerospace industry
• Rockford Area Economic Development Council
and NIU worked with companies to create the
Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN)
• RAAN members began to identify
opportunities to source products and services
within the region
• RAAN now connects more than 150 supply
chain partners

4. Rockford’s Aerospace/Aviation Cluster
Every plane flying has at least one part that was designed or manufactured in
Rockford.
• Global leader in design and manufacture of engine control systems
• Global Leader in electric power generation, distribution and control
systems
• Fuel & special fluid pumps
• Gearboxes
Rockford aerospace supply chain provides:
• Advanced materials and composites
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
• Parts & Components distribution and production
• Sheet metal
• Software systems
• Systems design and engineering support
• Tooling

5. Rockford Area Aerospace Accelerator Project
• NIU convened a group of higher education, economic development and
workforce development leaders to discuss how to accelerate innovation,
job creation and global competitiveness in the robust aerospace cluster.
• In 2010, the collaborative was awarded one of 20 competitive federal Jobs
and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (JIAC) grants, creating a $2.4 million
investment in this effort

6. Creating an Aerospace Growth System
Brand
Promise
Rockford
Area
Aerospace
Network
Workforce
Pipeline
Product
Innovation
Entrepreneur
Support

7. JiET-A: Targeted workforce development
for aerospace

8. Community buy-in
• Rockford area education, business, economic development, and
government leaders signed a joint declaration committing to collaboration
and support of the aerospace cluster
• UTC Aerospace Systems provided loaned executive for leadership of JiET-A
• JiET Governing Board established to ensure ongoing viability

9. Outcomes and Impact
• Identified more than 100 aspiring aerospace
engineers/technicians
• 42 students have been placed into integrated
internships
• 12 students have been hired by local aerospace
companies
• Increased collaboration between higher education,
businesses and public sector
• Developed new academic/career pathways for local
students
• Increased student awareness of aerospace careers
• Heightened community recognition and support of this
high-value sector of the economy

10. Web Portal for Prospective Interns

11. Sustainability and Scaling
• Local aerospace companies providing financial support: $2/hr.
for interns
• Engaging SMEs to expand their involvement
• Community Foundation provided $50K grant for
administrative infrastructure and creation of effective
business model
• Governing Board made up of key education, business and
government leaders
• Early stages of development of JiET groups for Information
Technology and other areas of targeted workforce
development

12. Aerospace expansion announcement
• Executives of aerospace leader Woodward cited the
collaborative workforce development, branding and
innovation work generated by the Aerospace Accelerator
Project and JiET-A as a factor in their decision to locate a $300
million expansion project in the Rockford area, creating 1750
new jobs and retaining 1750 jobs!