The future vertical workforce is predicted to need an additional 10,000 engineers over-and-above the current talent pipeline to meet the requirements of advanced rotorcraft and advanced air mobility (AAM) plans. One way to achieve the needed increase in VTOL talent is by transforming the current aerospace and defense workforce with the best IDEA: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility.
VFS has kicked off its DiversiFlite initiative to help the vertical flight community foster an inclusive environment that grows stronger through diversity, inclusion and equity, with considerations for both the workforce and customers through accessibility.
Diversity Wins
McKinsey and Company conducted a 3-part study on how gender and ethnic diversity affects the bottom line of a company. Executive boards in the top quartile for gender diversity are 28% more likely to financially outperform competition and are 25% more likely to achieve above-average returns. Companies with over 30% women on executive leadership teams will financially outperform those with few women by 48%. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increases by 3.5% for every 10% increase of gender diversity, and for every 1% increase of female representation there is a 3% increase in sales revenue. Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to see higher financial returns; on average, they earn almost fifteen times more sales revenue. For every 10% increase of racial and ethnic diversity in C-Suite positions, a company’s EBIT increases by 0.8%.
DiversiFlite Podcasts
VFS has launched a podcast series to explore IDEAs for the vertical flight community. Watch the first episodes and recordings of our Workforce & Diversity panels on YouTube now!
DiversiFlite Scholars Program
The new DiversiFlite Scholars initiative selects engineering students at US Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) for an all-expenses-paid trip to the Society's Annual Forum & Technology Display. This year's Forum 79 will be on May 16-18, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Update April 18, 2023: Society Announces 2023 DiversiFlite Winners!
VFS had three DiversiFlite Scholars attend Forum 78 in May 2022 in Ft. Worth Texas. Learn more about these inspiring students in the press release.
More Resources:
- The VTOL industry needs 10,000 additional engineers over the next decade. Check out our Future Vertical Workforce resource page.
- VFS published a study conducted by HYSKY Society, 2022 Vertical Flight Workforce Report: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is Vital, Nov. 3, 2022.
- The 2021-2022 VFS Student Design Competition was to design an eVTOL air taxi with accessibility.
- Read our Vertiflite Commentaries on Workforce, Diversity and Inclusion, and Equity.
Updated April 19, 2023