US aerospace, aviation industries see threats in aging workforce

WASHINGTON: US aerospace and aviation industry leaders warned lawmakers on Thursday that a coming wave of retirements in an aging workforce could hurt both sectors and create safety issues unless the government helps more young people qualify for those jobs.

"If we look at the demographics of our workforce across Boeing and much of the aerospace industry, about 50% of our top engineers and mechanics will be eligible to retire over roughly the next five years," Muilenburg told lawmakers at a US Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security.