What is Participation With Industry?
The first cooperative educational program with the government that could be considered a "participation with industry program" was conceived because of the concern that the United States should never again be caught unprepared for war as we were in 1941.
Shortly after World War II, a Department of Defense study on preparedness was undertaken at the Army Air University. It covered issues of industrial cooperation and surge capability, technological advancements and the changing threat. The study concluded that to assist a position of defense readiness, there had to be better understanding and communication between government, military and industry. The solution was to establish a cooperative DOD educational program with industry. Program implementation and oversight was given to the Army Air Force Institute of Technology, now known as the Air Force Institute of Technology.
The objective of this program was, and continues to be, to gain an understanding of civilian industry's approach to management of research, development, business systems production and product support. Boeing was one of the first companies to volunteer as a host for the students in the program "Training With Industry."
Even as this charter program was being prepared, the Army Air Force was in the process of separating into two branches of the military. By the time the first two students arrived at Boeing in the fall of 1947, this division had been accomplished and the U.S. Air Force formed.
Even today, the Army continues to call its program "Training With Industry," while the Navy adopted a similar program known as "Experience With Industry." In the mid-1960s, the Air Force renamed their program "Education With Industry" (EWI).
The Air Force and Army officers and civil service personnel come to Boeing under no-cost agreements, with their branch of service paying salaries and moving expenses. Boeing pays all educational costs plus any travel done for Boeing business purposes, but the officers are not entered in any of the normal company databases.
Mentors were added to the EWI program in 1972, with a mentor network formalized in 1973. Since the days of Bill Allen, Boeing presidents have demonstrated their commitment to these programs by traditionally meeting with each class.
The U.S. Air Force has been located at various Boeing sites since it was formed in 1947. Boeing in Philadelphia adopted the program in 1970, and Boeing sites in Wichita and New Orleans followed. The U.S. Army sent a class to Boeing in 1966, but halted classes during the Vietnam War. The program resumed at Boeing in 1977 in Philadelphia and in the Puget Sound area in 1985. Boeing Technical Services at Cape Canaveral also hosted the Army for the 1987 class.
Since September 1947, Boeing has continued not only to participate in EWI/TWI but has hosted many other such programs which include: Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Engineering Interns; Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) Commercial Practices Program; U.S. Navy/Federal Republic of Germany Engineering Exchange Program; NASA - Industry Fellowship Program; Navy Engineering Cooperative Program; and the Presidential Executive Interchange Programs.
Revised May 26, 2004