Today, Oct. 20, the GE Aerospace Foundation announced a $500,000 commitment to the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America initiative in North Carolina, to train members of the military for civilian roles as much-needed aviation technicians. The $500,000 commitment will fund the creation of a new aircraft and powerplant maintenance technician certificate program near Fort Bragg.

“As we continue to advance the future of flight, it is critical that we invest in developing talent to help us build it and bring it to life,” said GE Aerospace Chief Human Resources Officer and GE Aerospace Foundation Chair Christian Meisner in a press release. “We look forward to working alongside our partners to reinforce North Carolina’s long-standing leadership as the first in flight and keystone of the aviation manufacturing industry.”  

GE Aerospace Foundation’s commitment to Heroes MAKE America will fund the creation of a new aircraft and powerplant maintenance technician certificate program near Fort Bragg. Funding will support approximately 90 people each year across the Manufacturing Institute’s aircraft and powerplant maintenance technician program starting in 2026, including nearly 40 through the newly-created program in North Carolina. The program will support service members, Veterans, National Guard members and reserve members starting careers in advanced manufacturing.   

GE Aerospace’s commitment will help meet critical demand in North Carolina for advanced manufacturing workers by supporting a new aviation maintenance technician (AMT) certificate program. A new report shows that despite a near-record certification of new AMTs, the industry remains around 5,000 short.  

“We are thrilled to work alongside GE Aerospace Foundation to expand Heroes MAKE America and ensure our veterans have the skills needed to integrate into the workforce,” stated President and Executive of the Manufacturing Institute Carolyn Lee. “We are committed to providing the resources and opportunities to empower today’s American heroes to become tomorrow’s manufacturing leaders.”

Today’s announcement builds on GE Aerospace and the GE Aerospace Foundation’s ongoing commitments to aerospace workforce training, including recent plans to launch a multi-year, $30-million workforce skills program. The GE Aerospace Foundation’s new flagship program aims to train 10,000 highly skilled manufacturing workers over five years, beginning in 2026. 

For more on GE Aerospace’s and its Foundation’s workforce development efforts, visit geaerospace.com/workforce.