Wedoany.com Report on Feb 14th, The GE Aerospace Foundation has announced the launch of a $30 million training program aimed at enhancing manufacturing skills, with plans to train 10,000 highly skilled manufacturing workers starting in 2026. The foundation, funded by Ohio-based GE Aerospace, is an independent organization focused on strengthening workforce training through financial support.
The foundation will allocate funds over five years for local projects to purchase equipment, hire faculty, expand curricula, and provide scholarships to reduce the financial burden on students. Additionally, $2.5 million will be donated in 2025 to enhance existing training programs, such as a $250,000 grant to Cincinnati State Technical and Community College to add two instructors and increase the capacity of its aviation maintenance technician program from 185 to 350 students.
This initiative responds to challenges in the aerospace industry regarding recruiting engineering and manufacturing talent. Recent studies show that 56% of companies face difficulties in hiring skilled manufacturing workers, a problem expected to persist over the next eight years, with growing demand for roles such as electricians and welders. By 2033, up to 210,000 assemblers and manufacturing workers may leave or retire annually, highlighting the importance of improving manufacturing skills.
A 2024 survey revealed that nearly 80% of manufacturing workers are confident in their skills but emphasized that communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and safety procedures are key needs. GE Aerospace CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. stated, "Creating the future of flight requires workers with cutting-edge skills, ready to turn our vision into reality."
The foundation's latest plan builds on previous efforts, including a $1 million donation to Massachusetts to expand training programs and a $1 million donation to the United Way of Greater Cincinnati to launch the Manufacturing Futures Fund. A $250,000 donation to Tarrant County College is also planned for 2025 to support aviation maintenance and mechanical skills training.
GE Aerospace has a direct interest in training the U.S. manufacturing workforce, with plans to invest $1 billion in domestic manufacturing and supply chains and hire 5,000 workers. This builds on the hiring of over 900 engineers and 1,000 manufacturing workers in 2024. Despite labor disruptions, such as strikes at the Cincinnati plant, workers have approved new contracts.
Across the manufacturing sector, there were 413,000 job openings in August, lower than recent peaks. Over the past year, U.S. manufacturing has lost 78,000 jobs, influenced by factors such as technological changes and labor market adjustments. Through this training program, the GE Aerospace Foundation is committed to enhancing manufacturing skills to address industry challenges and support future development.
