ANGELES CITY -- The Jocson College Inc. (JCI) has established an aviation department to meet the demand for aviation-related jobs in Pampanga and nearby provinces.
JCI aviation department head Engineer Jabel Abella disclosed to Sun.Star Pampanga that some 27,581 aviation industry workers will be needed in Central Luzon for four years. He based his statement from the recent Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) study on in-demand workforce in Central Luzon.
Abella said that the lack of reputable aviation schools in the area inspired them to establish the aviation department of JCI in Barangay Balibago here.
He added that there are four aviation schools in Pampanga but the JCI-Aviation Department "offers reasonable tuition for top quality education."
Engineer Jonathan Palma, director of the JCI aeronautics department, said their school offers computer-based education.
"This means the students learn well and faster with the use of modern technology," said Palma, who also has aviation schools in Visayas.
Abella, for his part, said their aviation department is composed of "competent, qualified and experienced" professors adding most of them had taught and worked in aviation schools and industries abroad.
Canadian Dale Hambrook, who studied and taught at the prestigious British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), will head the JCI-aviation department composed of 11 professors.
Hambrook said he had joined JCI because they will provide their students with all the necessary equipment and materials needed for four courses offered - aircraft maintenance technology, aircraft electronics technology, aircraft composite and aircraft sheet metal course.
"The students should not be talking about something in school they haven't seen until they graduate," said Hambrook.
Jonathan C. Jamadin, one of the 11 professors at JCI, said their students will spend more time on on-the-job-training than in classrooms listening to lectures adding he will make them "better workers in the aviation industry."
His sentiments were echoed by Jeffrey Bonus, Instructor II of the JCI-aviation department who said that JCI is an ideal location for students in Pampanga and nearby provinces.
He added that they decided to establish the JCI-aviation department in this city so that students don't have to enroll in Metro Manila. "You get the same quality of education without staying in the busy area of Manila," said Bonus.
JCI disclosed that their classes will start on June 15.
"We enjoyed a good number of enrollees as we start our school in a few days. We urged you to see us immediately so that you can still avail of our courses," said Abella, who could be reached at (045) 889-0704.
He said the three-month aircraft sheet metal course started last April and it will end by July adding that they are now accepting applicants for the said course for the second batch. (With reports from Jovi T. De Leon)