To support the recovery and return to normal operations , the Washington State Department of Commerce states the industry must “ Continue to invest in a comprehensive aerospace workforce development strategy including working with new technologies like cobots and AR , VR , MR , XR , etc .” ( Washington State Aerospace 2019-2020 Sector Strategy , 2019 ). The Manufacturing Institute states that companies spent at least $ 26.2 billion on training in 2019 , and since COVID-19 , there will be a need for substantial investment in educational programs to enhance and retool workforce skills ( 2020 ). With increased innovations in robotics and automation , there will be an increasing need for a more highly-skilled workforce ( Help ( Still ) Wanted , 2020 )
These skilled workers will be coming from the educational support systems that the industry builds , supports , and encourages . Two strategies are critical for workforce recovery in the current crisis : communicating and working together with organizations to ensure efforts are additive rather than duplicative and funds are targeted and encouraging local , state , federal , and / or other organizations to fund existing or new policies or programs that support workforce recovery ( Strategies for Workforce Recovery , 2020 ).
Whether it is apprenticeships ( Boeing Core Plus Aerospace Program ), certificate programs ( AJAC , WATC , MOF Aerospace Pathways ), community college programs , or university programs , the partnership with industry will be critical to providing a trained workforce for the recovery ( Strategies for Workforce Recovery , 2020 ). The partnership between industry , education institutions , government , and workforce will be critical to a strong recovery . Just remember we are all in this recovery together and that “ The future belongs to those who prepare for it today ,” Malcolm X .
PNAA ADVANCE / 2021
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2021 ISSUE NO . 19 119