October 20, 2025 – Raleigh-Durham, NC – Today, 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.
“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 Christian Meisner, GE Aerospace Chief Human Resources Officer and GE Aerospace Foundation Chair. “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.
“North Carolina’s skilled workers help make North Carolina the future of flight. This partnership will give veterans the opportunity to learn the aviation maintenance skills they need for good-paying jobs. We’re grateful for GE Aerospace’s continued commitment to North Carolina,” said North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein.
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 Carolyn Lee, President and Executive of the Manufacturing Institute. “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.
These new workforce skills training commitments build on investments made last year in North Caroline. In 2024, GE Aerospace provided Wayne Community College with funding that supported 20 students, covering the costs of books, tests, and fees for the Wayne Community College’s Aviation Systems Technology Program.
For more on GE Aerospace’s and its Foundation’s workforce development efforts, visit geaerospace.com/workforce.
About GE Aerospace
GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 49,000 commercial and 29,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of approximately 53,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow, and the future at www.geaerospace.com.
About the GE Aerospace Foundation
The GE Aerospace Foundation, an independent charitable organization funded by GE Aerospace, complements the company’s purpose to “lift people up” in communities where employees live and work around the world. The Foundation’s philanthropic strategy and programs focus on engineering education, workforce development, and disaster relief. We also support GE Aerospace employees through programs such as Matching Gifts and STAR Awards. When GE Aerospace launched as an independent company in 2024, the GE Foundation was relaunched as the GE Aerospace Foundation, commencing a new chapter that builds on the successful, 100+ year legacy of the previous GE Foundation.
