Posted on 03/02/2024 9:04:29 PM PST by SeekAndFind
The aerospace industry desperately needs young talent if we expect it to grow, innovate, and continue providing the services we need and expect in the modern era. The jobs are plentiful, but the skilled workers are not. The leaders of the industry must do a better job of communicating with the next generation of aviation pilots, machinists, and mechanics. If they don’t, the future of aerospace is in jeopardy.
A recently released industry report a detailed that “the aircraft mechanic shortage has reached a critical point" and the outlook for growth is precarious. This is detrimental not only to commercial aviation, but also national defense aviation. Without mechanics to service the U.S. aerial fleet, it’s essentially useless.
In his testimony to the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee last fall, Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Ashish Vazirani said that the Pentagon missed its recruiting goals by roughly 41,000 recruits. He also noted that “the all-volunteer force faces one of its greatest challenges since inception” in 1973. As our fighting forces shrink, so does the number of skilled machinists, technicians and pilots that are trained to service our defense aircraft. This is exacerbating an already critical problem.
I spent my aviation career as an F-15 technician and crew chief in the U.S. Air Force (USAF), and later I was hired by McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company which eventually merged with Boeing. Working on this first-class fighter jet gave me opportunities I never imagined, including traveling to Saudi Arabia to support and train officers in the maintenance of the F-15s for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) working on the F-15 C/D models. This is the most successful fighter jet in the world with an unbeaten combat record.
America’s younger generation has so much to offer. The technologies that have developed since I began my career have advanced tremendously, and today’s young people are already masters of it. The sky is the limit, literally. But they can’t seize on aerospace careers if they don’t know about them.
Now is the time for the aerospace industry to make a concerted effort to increase awareness about the fulfilling, family-supporting opportunities in aviation. For too many years, the message to our young people has been you need to go to college to succeed. While that may be the right path for some, it’s not the only path to success. Especially when you consider that the cost of a traditional college education has increased by nearly 150% since the 1960s.
Aerospace companies have been partnering with colleges and universities to create training programs that help directly fill open trades positions directly upon completion. Similarly, the U.S. service branches have been pounding the pavement, trying to reach young people and educate them on all the opportunities available through military service. However, more must be done. The skilled worker shortages get worse every day, stagnating the industry and creating a substantial national defense concern.
Industry leaders, elected officials, and those currently in the field must do what they can to meet our young people where they are. We must share our success stories, promote training programs, and offer guidance and advice to students who could become contributors and innovators in the industry. The problem won’t resolve overnight, but we can make incremental improvements if we work together.
Felix Aviles is a U.S. Air Force veteran, a single-engine pilot, and a Boeing retired F-15 technician. He currently resides in Tucson, AZ.
There are so many of these jobs that are difficult to fill. A co-worker’s son had degrees in both mechanical and aeronautical engineering. Company recruiters were always around campus. Many students weren’t eligible for defense contractor work as they weren’t US citizens, etc.
There are a lot of tech jobs going begging, you’re right.
The only catch is that one has to be willing to move.
Time to dump Human Resources as we have come to know it and replace it with “old school” Personnel Office professionals who know something about the industry through first-hand experience.
“baby boomers insisting on hanging on until they drop dead are not doing the country any good”
They could be doing a lot of good acting as mentors to rookies in the field.
Our young white men are pretty thoroughly dumbed down now too.
This is your dolt. This is your wench.
Our young workforce is neither smart nor well-educated.
Bump
Have been in aviation since 1980 - a great career, have travelled all over the world, worked with some amazing people on some pretty cool projects.
My company has been doing back-flips to try to retain their older workers - not hard to figure out why.
I once had to move to an island that was exactly three square inches.
I had to balance on my toes the entire time, just to keep the computer and monitor dry.
Oh, and don't get me started on how hard it was to not get wet when asleep!
Fascinating.
Were the restaurants good there?
We have tranny’s in the Space Force... that’s pretty much what higher education has to offer Aerospace.
My white boy son is an aeronautical engineer. Similar to aerospace with concentration on space missions rather than getting the mission into space. He’s very well compensated. He’s currently seeking a new job with no shortage of interviews.
they drop dead are not doing the country any good
One could argue that they are the last ones who know anything...
Unfortunately this would require the Public School system to start teaching children how to read, write, count and use critical thinking skills, as well as a whole host of other learning that was common place in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN as long as we have a Department of Indoctrination
I don’t get it. Have they run out of women and negroes?
“This is the most successful fighter jet in the world with an unbeaten combat record.”
Surprised that Biden abd his dime store generals haven’t mothballed the lot of them....like A10’s.
Her: “One of you, is the father!”
“The US aerospace industry is in excellent shape for that.”
The thing is, people in power in the West REALLY believe that, despite getting their asses kicked in Ukraine as their BEST WEAPONS and NATO-trained troops are getting BUTCHERED.
We understand why you guys keep implying that victory is just around the corner, but in the REAL WORLD there will be a huge price to pay when Woke and Neglected Western industries and militaries go up against PROPERLY MANAGED industries and militaries that have actually been PREPARING for just this war.
Anyway, you guys have your assignments so what’s the point in debating here.
Yeah...that was my thought too. Many people have had their jobs replaced by Indian’s...including with the, “help train your replacement otherwise no severance”.
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