AIA Backs Groundbreaking STEM Summit
To address a growing crisis in recruiting sufficient numbers of qualified candidates to join industry’s workforce, AIA signed on to co-chair STEM Solutions 2012, a groundbreaking leadership summit that brought the best minds and best practices to Dallas, Texas on June 27-29 to develop solutions to the skills shortage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“The aerospace and defense industry is uniquely affected by shortfalls in the STEM workforce,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “Joining STEM Solutions Summit is part of our strategy to partner with other stakeholders to address the STEM workforce challenge.”
As one of the conference’s co-chairs, AIA provided topical input, expertise and support throughout the planning stages, and continued to do so throughout the conference. For several years, AIA has been working collaboratively among its member companies and with other industries and stakeholders to do a better job of communicating to educators, parents and students the workforce needs and career opportunities available in the aerospace and defense industry.
“AIA member companies are taking a leading role in developing and promoting programs that engage students and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM-related fields,” Blakey said. “This conference provides an outstanding opportunity to raise awareness of this issue on the national stage.”
Business and Industry STEM Education Coalition Chairman and Boeing Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration Rick Stephens, lead a conference session entitled “Employer Perspectives: Challenges and Solutions in STEM Workforce Planning” and participated in the Keynote Panel, “The Need for Results.” Headlining the keynote breakfast was AIA Vice Chairman and Chairman, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman Corporation Wes Bush.
To learn more about how you can help shape our nation’s future by participating in STEM Solutions 2012, visit www.USNewsSTEMSolutions.com.
AIA Source: susan.lavrakas[at]aia-aerospace.org
