Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today at GE Aerospace

Did you know the U.S. will need to fill 3.8 million manufacturing jobs by 2033? It's a staggering challenge - and nearly half of those jobs could remain unfilled if additional steps aren't taken.

This number comes from a study conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute that highlights the growing skills gap in the U.S. manufacturing sector. But here's the good news: Action is underway.

At two recent events put on by Axios, a digital media outlet, GE Aerospace announced bold efforts to tackle this challenge head-on. In Cincinnati, at the GE Aerospace Customer Technical Education Center, Chairman and CEO Larry Culp announced a new $30 million program from the GE Aerospace Foundation that will train 10,000 people by 2030. Culp emphasized the importance of this initiative. "We're really doing this as part of an industry-wide effort to make sure that aerospace not only has the capacity but the capabilities to fulfill the missions that we see in front of us," he said. "We're excited about the next steps here."

In addition, the GE Aerospace Foundation announced $2.5 million in donations this year to expand existing workforce training programs, helping individuals gain the skills they need to succeed.

At Vaughn College in New York, the funding is opening doors for students to pursue aerospace careers and build a stronger workforce pipeline. Sharon B. DeVivo, president and CEO of Vaughn College, said, "This gift provides critical momentum in supporting the success of our talented students as they pursue their career goals within the aerospace sector."

At another Axios event in Raleigh, North Carolina, the GE Aerospace Foundation announced a $500,000 commitment to the Manufacturing Institute's Heroes MAKE America initiative. This funding will support the creation of a new aircraft and powerplant maintenance technician certificate program. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein praised GE Aerospace's investment: "Just as our veterans have given so much to us, we must give to them. So I applaud GE Aerospace for investing in our future while strengthening its own workforce at the same time."

The Heroes MAKE America initiative is more than training; it's about helping service members and veterans gain advanced manufacturing roles as they transition to civilian life.

But what do all these programs and efforts look like in real life? Here are two people who have found jobs in advanced manufacturing through existing skills programs.

Justin Parra, based in North Carolina, is an example of how programs like SkillBridge are transforming lives. After transitioning from the U.S. Air Force, Parra joined GE Aerospace and now works as an assembly and test technician in Durham, North Carolina. "I wanted to give myself the best chance to find a job and build something sustainable outside of the military. SkillBridge gave me that opportunity," Parra says. "Being an active-duty service member is kind of your life - it's all you know. SkillBridge helped me make the transition to civilian life."

Meanwhile, Krystal Godinez, in Lafayette, Indiana, earned her FAA powerplant license through GE Aerospace's Powerplant Apprenticeship program, proving that with the right support, big dreams can take flight. "The compensation here has completely changed my quality of life," she says. "I don't have to worry about making ends meet anymore, and for that I'm very grateful."

Christian Meisner, chief human resources officer at GE Aerospace, highlights the importance of investing in people to address the industry-wide challenge. "We, like the rest of the industry, have a challenge. That is a shortage of skilled workers," says Meisner. "These skills are not something you learn over the weekend. So, to advance the future of flight, we must invest in the people who build it, and we look forward to working with our partners."

These new skills training programs, donations, and initiatives are about more than the numbers needed to meet GE Aerospace's future manufacturing challenge. They're about people - empowering individuals, supporting veterans, and making sure the aerospace industry has the talent and expertise to meet the challenges ahead.

So, back to the 3.8 million jobs. It's a big challenge, but GE Aerospace is stepping up, showing how investing in people today can help shape the future of flight tomorrow.