Boeing plays a role in inspiring the next generation talent in India, and development of skills to strengthen the aerospace ecosystem in India.
Boeing invests in an externship program with premier engineering colleges every year, and selects students to work with its industry partner Cyient. The program introduces students to advanced aerospace engineering projects and related best practices, resulting in high-tech career paths for talented students.
The annual Boeing-IIT National Aeromodeling Competition for engineering universities is organized to encourage participants to opt for a career in aerospace. Boeing provides training to participants and helps them design, build and fly their airplane models. The eight edition, held in 2023, saw participation from more than 2,200 students from across India.
Young engineers get hands-on advanced manufacturing training in one of Boeing’s skill development programs running across the country.
To address the critical need for skill development in the Indian aerospace, Boeing has partnered with Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) to provide vocational training to Indian students. Boeing-designed curricula and initiatives have been launched with Indian partners Rossell Techsys, Tata Advanced Materials Limited (TAML), Jaivel and Lakshmi Machine Works to train workers in aerospace-relevant skills. Several frontline workers have been employed by Boeing suppliers after completing their training. The course provides the candidates with an accredited post-diploma.
Boeing, in partnership with Air India Engineering Services Ltd and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, also provides an Accelerated Apprenticeship Program for aircraft maintenance engineers (AME). The aim is to improve the AME’s employability through training and hands-on experience with actual aircraft. The state-of-the-art center, inaugurated in June 2018 in Mumbai, combines a ‘smart-class’ setting and advanced training aids with a customized curriculum, created by Boeing experts for the AMEs. The first batch graduated in August 2019.
More such programs are being explored to enhance availability of a skilled workforce to the aerospace industry in India.