1,000 U.S. workers across all manufacturing industries say new hires need additional training, identify skills as key to worker success and retention.
GE Aerospace and the GE Aerospace Foundation are awarding $2.3 million to a range of organizations to help build a larger skilled manufacturing workforce and create job opportunities across the United States and globally. These donations come as a new Morning Consult | GE Aerospace survey of 1,000 U.S. workers across all manufacturing industries finds that skills development is needed for newer workers and viewed as a key to worker success and retention.
The U.S. aerospace manufacturing industry has nearly four times as many new workers (15%) since the pandemic compared to manufacturing overall (4%), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, the industry faces twin challenges of strong demand and an aging workforce, with more than one-third of workers older than 55.
The survey highlights the importance of investing in continued training. One-third of manufacturing workers hired post-COVID say they lack confidence in their skills, though 80% of workers overall report they feel very confident in their abilities
“Providing training opportunities and reducing barriers for workers to gain skills are key to the future of the aerospace industry,” said Christian Meisner, GE Aerospace Chief Human Resource Officer and GE Aerospace Foundation Chair. “But we cannot do this urgent work alone. It will take partners like the ones GE Aerospace and the GE Foundation are awarding, and we look forward to expanding on this work to support workers and the broader industry at this critical time.”
The donations from GE Aerospace and the GE Aerospace Foundation will help partners establish new programs, expand existing ones, add flexibility, and reduce costs for individuals seeking manufacturing skills. These initiatives will support an additional 1,250 manufacturing workers.
Key donations include:
$150,000 to Greater Lafayette Career Academy in Lafayette, Ind.: Will double the school's Airframe and Powerplant program capacity to 30 students by hiring a full-time licensed instructor. Funds will purchase essential training equipment, ensuring students have access to industry-standard tools and machinery. The school will also provide tool kits for 25 students, supporting their progress towards dual credits, certification and further educational opportunities. This donation will support approximately 80 students in total.
$100,000 to Calhoun Community College in Huntsville, Ala.: Will fund lab equipment, purchase additional licenses for simulator training and models, and training workbooks to support students in the Process Technology Program. The program prepares 100 students annually to monitor, operate and maintain equipment used in the processing of raw materials and chemical manufacturing.
$100,000 to Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C.: Will provide 10 full-ride scholarships to the Computer-Integrated Machining associates program, support a 40-hour, machining bootcamp career exploration course for high school students where they build an engine, and supplies for the Computer-Integrated Machining program plans to more than double to 75 students in the next few years. This donation will support up to 100 students.
Jim Morton, CFCC President, had this to say about the impact of this reward:
"Receiving this grant from the GE Aerospace Foundation is a tremendous boost for our Computer-Integrated Machining program. This support will allow CFCC to offer 10 full-ride scholarships, establish a 40- hour machining bootcamp for high school students, and provide the necessary supplies as we expand our program to support more students. This grant is a significant investment in our students' education and the future of our local workforce, particularly in the machining and aerospace industries."
$1M to United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Future of Manufacturing Fund awarded earlier this year for grants to local programs focused on addressing gaps in the advanced manufacturing workforce.
$50,000 to Ayrshire College in Scotland, UK: Will support the offering of an evening class with additional tools and materials and will help establish a training hangar and teaching center at Prestwick airport for students to gain hands-on experience. This donation will support approximately 100 students.
See a list of all the donations at: geaerospace.com/workforce.
These donations aim to reduce barriers identified in the Morning Consult | GE Aerospace survey, where 32% of workers cited a lack of training opportunities, 27% mentioned personal time constraints, and another 27% pointed to financial constraints.
Other key findings include:
Skills are key to worker retention and success: Nearly all (95%) believe that effective skills increase the likelihood of staying with their current employer. One-third (33%) say skills training has been the biggest factor in their success.
Demand for more training: Two-thirds (66%) of manufacturing workers have received skills training in the last five years, but 80% believe they need new skills to advance, and 62% expect their employer to provide this training.
Today’s announcement builds on GE Aerospace’s commitment to worker training. Over 850 employees will participate in GE Aerospace programs or sponsored efforts to gain necessary manufacturing skills this year, while its Rutland, Vt., program celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In addition to today’s awards, GE Aerospace is directly investing over $250 million to expand its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network and another $650 million into production facilities and the supply chain during 2024. These investments will increase capacity to service the current flying fleet, expand production, and strengthen quality in building new engines.
About the GE Aerospace Foundation
The GE Aerospace Foundation, an independent charitable organization funded by GE Aerospace, complements the company’s purpose to “lift people up” in communities where employees live and work around the world. The Foundation’s philanthropic strategy and programs focus on engineering education, workforce development, and disaster relief. We also support GE Aerospace employees through programs such as Matching Gifts and STAR Awards. When GE Aerospace launched as an independent company in 2024, the GE Foundation was relaunched as the GE Aerospace Foundation, commencing a new chapter that builds on the successful, 100+ year legacy of the previous GE Foundation.
About GE Aerospace
GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 44,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of 52,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow and the future at www.geaerospace.com.