According to a study released by the Aerospace Industries Association( AIA),“ despite focused efforts to strengthen talent attraction and retention, the aerospace and defense( A & D) industry continues to face mounting workforce challenges.” That could be devastating for the country.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS RECRUITING WORKERS IN ENGINEERING AND SKILLED TRADES WHO CAN DRIVE INNOVATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS.
Aerospace manufacturing plays a critical role in our nation’ s growth and security. Talented American workers are what will enable the U. S. to continue creating the world’ s best fighter jets, rockets, commercial planes, and other key tools for global leadership. Supply chain companies in the Pacific Northwest and around the country are leading the way in training the next generation of makers and leading by example.
There isn’ t a quick-fix solution to remedy this concerning trend, but business owners are working to create their own talent pipelines by investing in education for new employees, offering apprenticeships and other hands-on learning opportunities, and providing career-advancing training to ensure they have the right people to keep their production lines running. This, along with changing the conversation about skilled trade being a respected, viable career choice, will make great strides forward in rebuilding our aerospace manufacturing workforce.
Manufacturing plays a critical role in our nation’ s growth and security. Talented American workers are what will enable the U. S. to continue creating the world’ s best fighter jets, rockets, commercial planes, and other key tools for global leadership.
To learn more about how public policy impacts the aerospace industry and ways to get involved, please visit:
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DECEMBER 2025 | JANUARY 2026 ISSUE NO. 48 | 21