In Oklahoma, the big sky is big business.

The aerospace industry, one of the cornerstones of the state’s economy, is responsible for approximately 143,000 jobs with a $5 billion annual payroll. Comprising 10% of the state’s economy, it contributes $12 billion in industrial output.

Yet, the industry is facing a scarcity in engineers and workers trained to support the burgeoning needs. The future of that industry in the state will be the focus of the 2011 Oklahoma Aerospace Summit and Expo, to be held June 6-8 at the Tulsa Convention Center. The event will feature face-to-face time with exhibitors and an “industry matchmaking” session.

“Workforce is a huge challenge for aerospace, especially in Oklahoma,” says Mary Smith, executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Alliance, the conference host. “The question is, ‘How do we attract an out-of-state workforce to Oklahoma and keep our trained workforce here?’ So one of the biggest focus areas of the conference will be on workforce development for the future.”

BIG NEED

The conference is expected to draw more than 800 attendees and 100 exhibiting companies. It is growing in popularity, Smith says, with participants traveling from states including Georgia, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.

“One of our focus areas is to expose our state’s teachers to career opportunities in the aerospace field in Oklahoma, which is tremendous,” Smith says. “We invite teachers to the summit so they know what they need to encourage their students to pursue a career in this field.”

In 2008, the state Legislature passed a series of tax credits and incentives to encourage Oklahoma companies to hire engineers. The legislation also was aimed at attracting out-of-state engineers while retaining in-state graduates.

The following year, results were seen. In 2009, according to The State Chamber, 348 new engineers were hired. Although the impact of those credits was $3.5 million that year, the economic result to Oklahoma from recruiting high-paid engineers was estimated to exceed $270 million.

However, those tax incentives were put on a two-year moratorium to help balance the state budget in 2010. This year, House Bill 1008 received bipartisan support to remove the Aerospace Engineer Workforce and Recruitment incentives off the moratorium list.

MATCHMAKERS

Think of it as speed-dating for industries. During this year’s conference, small local suppliers have a chance to speak with reprersentatives of national and international companies.

Businesses can sign up for an eight-minute meeting with such aerospace giants as American Airlines, the Boeing Co., First Wave MRO Inc., Spirit Aerosystems and Nordam, to name a few.

“The industry matchmaking is always a sell-out,” Smith says. “Small, local suppliers have eight minutes to meet with the agents from these large corporations as a way to get their foot in the door. The little companies introduce themselves, but the big companies get a chance to meet local suppliers they may not have known existed.”

To register for the 2011 Oklahoma Aerospace Summit and Expo, visit www.okaero.com/summit.