That’ s part of why PNAA is launching the“ Aerospace: From the Ground Up” podcast. We want to highlight real people in real roles: the CNC machinist who started out sweeping floors; the procurement manager who took night classes to switch careers; the composites tech who discovered her passion while building her first drone. These stories matter!
They matter because they show what’ s possible. They matter because they reflect the workforce we want to build— one that is inclusive, resilient, and innovative. And they matter because our industry needs a more compelling story if we’ re going to compete for talent.
We also need to be honest about the barriers. Too many job descriptions are written in language that alienates people. Too many entry points are hidden behind expensive degrees or insider knowledge. Too many companies still believe that if someone doesn’ t already know aerospace, they don’ t belong. We have to dismantle those assumptions if we want to scale.
It starts with outreach, but it doesn’ t stop there. We need to show up at high schools and community colleges. We need to work with workforce boards, veterans’ organizations, and second-chance programs. We need to rethink internships, job fairs, and even how we describe our work online. Most of all, we need to lead with stories that connect— stories that say,“ You belong here.”
That’ s why we created resources like AerospaceConnect. net, where students and job seekers can explore a wide range of aerospace careers, and our career guide series that breaks down pathways into the industry with clear, accessible language.
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