Projects

Skyward Bound

Agricultural aircraft manufacturing training focuses on metal assembly and safety

When Albany, Ga.-based Thrush Aircraft embarked upon its most recent expansion, it looked to Quick Start to help train its newest team members in record time.

Within six months, Quick Start was able to develop a customized, comprehensive training plan for Thrush, which builds agricultural aircraft. Courses for Thrush included metal assembly, aircraft fasteners, aviation blueprints, aircraft structures and aerodynamics and various safety topics.

Thrush partnered with Quick Start to train its employees from August 2022 through February 2024. The company has helped provide over 100 jobs in the Albany area within the past four years.

“What we’re trying to do at Thrush is give people more — more opportunity, more of a life,” said Mark McDonald, President and CEO of Thrush Aircraft. “They need to be given the opportunity to grow, learn, excel and take charge of their own lives and their own careers. And if they care about the people they work with, the team they’re part of and the quality of their work, they’re going to have a greater opportunity.”

Industry Category

Headquarters

Albany

Brand Proposition

Built for performance. Built for safety. Built to last.

Technical College Partner(s)

Albany Technical College

“Quick Start was really good at saying, ‘What do you need?’ Not, ‘Here’s what we’ve got, do this.’ And that to me was one of the things that made the program special.”

— Mark McDonald, President and CEO of Thrush Aircraft

Quick Start worked with Thrush from August 2022 through February 2024.

Training included fasteners, aviation blueprint, and various types of metal assembly.

Thrush also helped Quick Start develop a company-specific process training course.

Quick Start often develops workbooks and other training aids for hands-on courses.

A Quick Start trainer works one-on-one with a Thrush trainee.

Thrush has helped provide over 100 jobs in the Albany area within the past four years.