Aerospace & Defense Industry Workforce Study Results Released

Aug. 25, 2009

NEW YORK, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- AVIATION WEEK, the largest multimedia information and services provider to the global aviation, aerospace and defense (A&D) industries, today released the results of its 2009 Workforce Study, which show a continued decline in the industry's workforce. Produced in partnership with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and Hitachi Consulting, this official industry report provides a single source of reliable data that analyzes current A&D workforce issues, trends and opportunities, and has been a mainstay for A&D planning and trend analysis since 1997. Results appear in the August 24-31 double issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology.

"AVIATION WEEK's 2009 Workforce Study and data from the AIA suggest that U.S. A&D companies have cut about 30,000 jobs as of June 1, or just 4.5% of the total workforce," says Project Leader Carole Hedden and Senior Business Editor Joseph Anselmo in the article. "The layoffs will almost certainly continue into 2010, [but] total job losses during this downturn might be limited to 10% of the A&D workforce -- far below the 40% eliminated in 1990-96 as the end of the Cold War... The industry is being much more strategic in reducing the workforce."

Key highlights of the report include:

-- Companies are still hiring. The industry currently has 21,000 job openings, down from 32,000 in 2008. -- A disconnect between stated needs, which focus on engineering skills, and hiring forecasts, which predict 38%-80% declines in these areas, may prolong the economic hangover. -- Retirement eligibility is expected to increase from 13% this year to 18% in 2011 and 20% in 2013, causing further workforce shortages; 5.7% of the A&D workforce retired in 2008. -- Retention of top-level talent is critical to the future of the industry; the near 15% voluntary attrition among young professionals was identified as a trend to watch and for action, such as supporting federal and state standards that promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

Workforce Study findings were based on responses from 43 A&D companies with a total of 520,000 employees, representing 82% of the industry's total workforce (630,000). The data was aggregated and formulated by market research firm Development II. For more information, visit http://www.aviationweek.com/workforce09 or sign up to attend the Human Capital & Talent Management Forum on October 6-7 in Chicago.

About AVIATION WEEK

AVIATION WEEK, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is the largest multimedia information and services provider to the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries, and includes the publications Aviation Week & Space Technology, Defense Technology International, Business & Commercial Aviation, Overhaul & Maintenance, ShowNews, Aviation Daily, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, and the World Aerospace Database. The group's website, http://www.aviationweek.com, offers the industry's most reliable news, information, search and online community tools. Premium content services include the Aviation Week Intelligence Network, MRO Prospector, and the Top-Performing Companies Benchmarking Tool. The group also produces prominent conferences, exhibitions and management forums around the world.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.

SOURCE AVIATION WEEK