MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College will receive $1.8 million for aerospace education, training and services over the next three years.

The money is Big Bend's share of a $20 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor to Air Washington, a consortium of 14 colleges, two aerospace companies and an apprenticeship committee.

Big Bend will use the money to pay for education programs, training initiatives and services to support the aerospace industry.

Spokane Community College is the lead agency in the grant proposal and will receive $5.8 million. The grant is the first installment of a $2 billion, four-year federal investment in jobs programs.

The funds can be used only for aerospace education.

The grant money will result in new curriculum, changes in delivery, and changes in instruction to standardize curriculum across all Air Washington schools, said Clyde Rasmussen, dean of professional and technical education at Big Bend.

"This is fantastic news for workers and aerospace companies across Washington State," Sen. Patty Murray stated.

Big Bend operates one of five airframe and power plant schools in Washington. The grant will be used to deliver training and certification benefiting the 600 aerospace companies in the state.

Air Washington training initiatives will focus on degrees or certificates in such programs as avionics, computer-assisted drafting and design, CNC machinist, computer software engineering, electronics, hydraulic and pneumatic automation, and welding.

Big Bend's aviation maintenance technology program prepares students for FAA airframe and power plant maintenance certification. The program has provided students with a pathway to aviation maintenance careers for more than 40 years.