Opinion: Cast A Wide Net For A Strong Aerospace And Aviation Workforce

Did you know that many of the women who worked in U.S. aircraft factories during World War II like Rosie the Riveter were Hispanic? Connie Palacioz worked at Boeing, Mary Fierros at Douglas Aircraft and Rose Will Monroe at Willow Run Aircraft. They were encouraged to join the war effort by taking traditionally male jobs during a time when most men were overseas fighting. These women were pioneers in breaking down barriers and are still symbols of what we can do when we work together.

A well-educated and trained workforce is crucial to the long-term success and sustainability of our industry. Working together to solve big problems is nothing new to us. Look at our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050—it is unbelievably hard, but so many people are excited about the progress we are making, and many believe we can achieve it (or get really, really close).

It is that same spirit of doing hard things that brings me to the dual challenges of recruiting and attracting the next generation of aerospace and aviation leaders and workers.

Ours is an industry with standards and regulations for almost every aspect of what we do, including individual certification for pilots, aviation maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers and more, as well as certification for manufacturers, training facilities, airports and repair stations. While there is always a need for continuous improvement, those standards are based on safety: We all must meet the standard.

To maintain our industry’s excellence, we need a workforce that represents all of America. We need individuals who think differently and bring a unique set of skills to problem-solving and completing complex tasks. By welcoming and supporting individuals from a variety of backgrounds, we embolden everyone to do their best work. There are several reasons why we want and need to encourage more individuals to join aviation and aerospace.

When I chaired the Youth Access in American Jobs in Aviation Task Force for the FAA in 2022, we identified awareness as a substantial barrier to reaching communities that simply did not know about the incredible opportunities in our industry. Amazing groups across the country—such as Drone Cadets in New York City, AeroStar Avion Institute in Chicago and Civil Air Patrol (with units in every state)—are working to build career pathways to aviation and aerospace in communities, schools and youth organizations that are excited to learn more about what we offer.

At the same time, we need to support and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals already in our organizations because they are the inspiration to other young people who might not have considered working in aviation and aerospace. Many times when I ask new students how they found their way to the fields we offer, they tell me they are the first in their family to want to be a pilot, maintenance technician, airport manager, air traffic controller or engineer. They have a dream, and they know how to make it a reality. Imagine how that drive and success will motivate more young people to pursue their dreams in our industry.

Attracting, supporting and retaining individuals who bring a variety of perspectives makes us safer. Safety standards and strong safety cultures give the traveling public trust that we will get them where they want to go. We also use every mistake as a learning opportunity, and being a true “learning organization” requires maintaining a culture that is imbued with trust and respect for all, regardless of differences.

There is a perception that when we focus on attracting a particular group based on visible characteristics, we lose focus on the rigorous standards on which our industry relies.

But the research is clear that when teams are composed of individuals with varied perspectives, they are more likely to think creatively and develop groundbreaking solutions. We need young people from a wide variety of backgrounds to be the innovative force across aviation, aerospace and other technical fields. And this goes beyond innovation. A 2024 McKinsey report asserted that it is the “most compelling business case yet” that teams with a variety of unique perspectives (including executive teams and boards) “continue to be associated with higher financial returns.”

The recent attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion distract us from solving our workforce, safety and problem-solving requirements. We all benefit when we welcome, integrate and celebrate individuals from a variety of backgrounds, and remaining committed to doing this well will have lasting positive impacts on our industry.

Sharon B. DeVivo is president of Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Flushing, New York.