Flight Forward
Flight Forward Program Connects Students to the Aviation Industry
Charlotte and North Carolina stand at the forefront of a booming aerospace and aviation industry, with a growing demand for STEM jobs creating unprecedented opportunities for students and job seekers.
Sullenberger Aviation Museum is working with its partners to address this opportunity with the Flight Forward program - connecting students and job seekers to aerospace industry employers.
Aviation Industry Challenges and Opportunities
- STEM job demand remains high. There is a substantial need for aerospace and aviation workers, industry-wide.
- Aerospace manufacturing needs are growing. North Carolina's aerospace manufacturing sector grew 76% from 2007-2016, making it the nation’s second fastest growing market in this sector in the US.
- North Carolina leads in drone innovation. North Carolina and the NC Department of Transportation are at the forefront of innovations catalyzing the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System or “drone”) economy.
- Women and minorities are underrepresented in the industry. The lack of women and people of color in aviation and STEM careers persists locally and nationally.
- Students and other job seekers are not aware of aviation opportunties. Knowledge of and access to real-world job experience is critical to achieving gainful employment for underrepresented job seekers.
- Aviation industry pipelines need to be facilitated and created.
Join Our Flight Forward Partners
Flight Forward Partners
Flight Forward Partners is an aviation workforce development group aiming to foster collaboration between industry and educational partners to drive the growth of the aviation sector. Flight Forward Partners meet quarterly with a primary focus on connecting community job seekers with a multitude of career opportunities within the aviation and aerospace industries.
SAM is currently working with industry partners to catalog aviation industry internships, apprenticeships, industry field trips, industry speakers, and mentors to share with local schools and job seekers.
Are you a STEM professional looking to:
- Strengthen your industry sector?
- Raise career awareness?
- Provide access among local talent through training, networking, recruitment, and collaboration?
You may want to join our Flight Forward Partners!
For more information about joining the Flight Forward Partners, email Dr. Misty Sweat, Vice President of Education, at misty@sullenbergeraviation.org.
