Aviation Week Network announced yesterday the 2019 Workforce Study findings. The Study shows attracting and keeping a workforce is different today than in the past. In previous years, retention and recruiting required challenging work paired with competitive pay and benefits as well as the ability to continuously learn. Today, recruiting new aerospace and defense (A&D) talent requires a skillful touch consisting of highly customized recruiting and retention planning solutions.
Aviation Week Network collaborated with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) on the annual study.
Aviation Week Network’s annual Workforce Study, the industry’s single source of demographic and hiring data since 1997, identifies trends in technological challenges, leadership, demographics and ranks the top universities for A&D recruitment.
The Study conducted a random-sample survey at key universities and within a sampling of small and large A&D companies to determine what is motivating university students and young professionals (under 35). The survey identifies what drives career pursuits among students and young professionals, to clarify where the A&D industry is strong and weak in attracting students and young professionals, and to better inform the hiring process. The 2019 survey responses made one thing clear, the industry needs tailored recruiting efforts to ensure a skilled and diverse workforce.
The universities identified as preferred suppliers are those institutions that hiring managers turn to when looking to fill critical and high-value jobs. Preferred suppliers are identified based on their academic reputation, the applicability of their research efforts, and the success of alumni already working in the industry.
The 2019 universities identified as preferred suppliers include:
Georgia Institute of Technology
University of Texas – Austin
University of Colorado Boulder
California Polytechnic State University
University of Central Florida and Arizona State University (tie)
The universities where A&D corporations have hired the largest number of new graduates are:
University of Central Florida
California Polytechnic State University
University of Florida
University of California San Diego
Georgia Institute of Technology
“In order for any A&D business to thrive it must invest in its workforce,” said Greg Hamilton, President, Aviation Week Network. “From the development of apprentice programs to creating discrete and tailored programs, the industry needs to do better to attract and retain talent. Advancing the industry is a core mission for Aviation Week Network. For 22 years our Study has provided A&D leaders with the essential information they need to help the industry evolve.”
For more information, including hiring forecasts, visit aviationweek.com/workforce.
