Workforce Alignment . “ We heard , loud and clear , the message from aerospace manufacturers : from the shop floor to engineering , there is a shortage of both new and seasoned workforce ,” said Dale King . “ Aerospace manufacturers are asking for solutions that will help them find , compete for , upskill , and retain workers .” Notable challenges include competing for talent with fast-growing industry sectors , an increasing need for skills that can support Industry 4.0 objectives ( more on this , below ) and the strain that sudden and unexpected fluctuations in staffing needs can place on companies and their employees .
Supply Chain . The aerospace industry in the Pacific Northwest is highly interdependent . When you combine the exacting standards of quality in aerospace with the diversity of the components needed , it ’ s clear that no single company can master it all . This is why innovation in supply chain operations , communications , and transactions can make a big difference in aerospace . “ A lot of people think innovation is just about the next technology ,” said Peter Schuerman , PNAA ’ s cluster program manager , “ but while innovation can happen in the technical sphere , it can also happen in the sphere of business models , and even in the sphere of who we work with and how we communicate with each other .” PNAC will work with stakeholders to discover issues and collaboratively develop a comprehensive set of solutions across all of these spheres .
Environmental Sustainability . The environmental awareness of Pacific Northwest culture means that in this area , Pacific Northwest aerospace is poised to lead . “ Sustainability and targeted carbon emission reduction will undoubtably shape the future of the aerospace industry ,” said Lauren Estep , PNAA ’ s cluster program assistant and researcher . “ Sustainable innovation within the aerospace manufacturing sector will drive industry change and support these goals .”
Marketing . The reputation of aerospace manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest is impressive , having been built over more than 100 years . However , in a world where so many things are competing for our attention , it ’ s not enough to be good ; you have to be good at telling people about it . “ Every day , millions of people travel by air . We forget how miraculous that is ,” said King . “ Aerospace manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest is also something of a miracle , and we don ’ t do enough to remind the world of that .”
50 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS