AIRCRAFT’s Engineering Workforce Development (EWD) strategy is designed to cultivate technically proficient engineers and an innovation-ready community of researchers, educators, learners, and practitioners. AIRCRAFT empowers a new generation of leaders in our convergent research areas through a comprehensive, research-informed approach that integrates competency-based education, best-practice mentoring, and skill building in both technical and professional domains. This includes:
- Design Competency-Based Learning Ecosystems: We deliver tailored, research-driven curricula across the education spectrum—from K–12 to graduate programs and continuing education—focused on systems-of-systems thinking, technical proficiency, entrepreneurship, and inclusive innovation.
- Build Durable Infrastructure for Learning: AIRCRAFT develops educational and mentorship infrastructure that supports learners across all stages, including pre-college students, undergraduate and graduate learners, trade professionals, community college students, and mid-career workers seeking reskilling. We develop digital resources repository that teachers and other stakeholders can leverage to educate communities and increase awareness of AIRCRAFT’s work.
- Integrate Technical Competence, Stakeholder Awareness, and Entrepreneurship Mindset for Innovation: Our training emphasizes not only technical excellence but also critical thinking, communication, social-analytic skills, stakeholder engagement and perspectives, and entrepreneurship approaches to design for and operate within a competitive domestic and global aviation industry.
- Disseminate Broadly: Our programs yield a publicly accessible library of proven educational and outreach tools, methods, and materials—including vetted curriculum content and participatory learning modules—for formal and informal learning settings, nationwide.
By integrating cutting-edge engineering education research with a deep commitment to excellence, AIRCRAFT’s EWD programs prepare a resilient, interdisciplinary workforce ready to lead the aviation industry through transformative change.
