Representatives from Boeing, the Washington Department of Commerce and Community Colleges of Spokane joined together with more than 100 aviation maintenance students and industry and government leaders on Oct. 8 to unveil a GEnx 787 Dreamliner engine Boeing donated and delivered to Spokane Community College.

The 14-foot-tall, 17,000-pound gift will help the students at the college’s Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) program gain hands-on experience with the latest technology. Students will use this engine to learn about size, mass, special handing considerations, conceptualization of complex mechanical interactions, visualization of actual systems and quality assurance checks.

“We are thrilled to make such an incredible investment through our academic partnership with Spokane Community College. We hope the donation will educate and inspire engineers, mechanics and maintenance technicians destined to change the future of aviation,” said Keith Leverkuhn, vice president of Supply Chain Propulsion for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

SCC President Kevin Brockbank and Community Colleges of Spokane Chancellor Christine Johnson thanked Boeing for its generous donation and for its role in providing high-quality careers in Washington and in promoting skilled trades. “Our skilled trades graduates are in high demand and have great career opportunities,” said SCC President Kevin Brockbank. “This 787 jet engine donation will greatly enhance the training we can provide in Spokane. All of us at SCC, our faculty and all of our students, thank Boeing for its generosity.”

Boeing works with technical colleges and high schools around the region to increase the number of students choosing to work in aerospace manufacturing. “Boeing values partnering with educational programs like Spokane Community College that prepare people for exciting careers in manufacturing and beyond,” said Bill McSherry, vice president, Government Operations, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Boeing is proud to help inspire tomorrow’s aviation professionals through the donation of this 787 engine. We hope working on this engine allows the next generation of leaders to follow their dreams.”

By Cathy Rudolph