Regional Profile
In today’s economy, the single most important point of competitiveness is an organization’s workforce. Nothing is more important to its success. The Aerospace Alliance states have a deep supply of aerospace professionals in all industry skill sets. In addition, the states’ pro-business climate has spawned hundreds of aerospace entrepreneurs further enriching and supporting the growth of the industry across the region.
Workforce
The Aerospace Alliance states are home to more than 92,000 active duty personnel, nearly 68,000 civilian personnel[1] and 1.24 million veterans.[2]
In total, nearly 200,000[3] professionals work in aviation and aerospace industries both directly and indirectly ranging from manufacturing-related occupations, engineers, designers, pilots, computer technologists, machinists to yes, even rocket scientists. Some of the brightest minds in the sector, both public and private, are tasked with building today’s aircraft and imagining and designing tomorrow’s spacecraft.
Education
The region’s schools, colleges, universities, training centers and centers of excellence inspire and help develop the talent that fills today’s demand for outstanding workers. As important, these institutions are continually looking to the needs of industry for tomorrow’s workforce. Colleges and universities in the Aerospace Alliance states are among the nation’s top producers of STEM graduates, including many specializing in aviation and aerospace. Further, the region produces thousands of “badgeable” workers certificated in a range of pertinent skills.
Universities Offering Aerospace Engineering Degrees[4]
Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama Tuskegee University University of Alabama Huntsville Calhoun Community College Coastal Alabama Community College Enterprise State Community College Snead State Community Colleges Wallace State Community College-Hanceville
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Florida Florida Institute of Technology Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Florida International University University of Central Florida University of Florida University of Miami |
Louisiana Louisiana Tech University Louisiana State University |
Mississippi Mississippi State University |
Gulf Coast Aerospace Corrdidor Overview
Learn more about the aerospace and aviation activities in the region between Southeast Louisiana and Northwest Florida by downloading the Gulf Coast Reporters’ League Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor overview – now in its seventh edition. The latest publication provides additional context about the tremendous growth of aerospace and aviation activities in all four states.
REGIONAL EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS
University of Alabama in Huntsville’s College of Engineering includes a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department (MAE)
Florida Institute of Technology’s College of Aeronautics in Melbourne
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University recently opened the John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex
The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Polymers and High Performance Materials