With a significant workforce concentration in aerospace, automotive, and machinery and equipment manufacturing, the St. Louis region has the robust labor pool needed to support growing companies seeking a sustainable location to grow their business. The unique ecosystem supports manufacturing businesses at every level, from the shop floor to the C-suite.
- 338,228 total jobs* within the Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Supportive sectors to Aerospace Manufacturing. This is a huge number and is actually higher than the total population of St. Louis City (298,018)
- Aerospace Manufacturing’s Location Quotient of 3.80 is one of the highest across all industry sectors in the St. Louis, MO-IL region. This metric indicates the St. Louis region has nearly 4x more aerospace manufacturing employees than other similar sized markets, earning the region a ranking among the top 20 metros for aerospace employment.
- Our aerospace manufacturing workers are nearly five percent more productive than the national average.
- The region has a concentration in Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing and Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing with LQs of 2.2 and 2.75 respectively, providing an industry competitive advantage.
Source: North American Industry Classification System (NAICS); JobsEQ®, Q1 2024
*Total job number does not include the new jobs being added at Boeing, Gulfstream and West Star Aviation.
As new positions continue to open up in the region due to expansions underway by The Boeing Company, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., West Star Aviation and others, the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Taskforce is working to continue to grow the pipeline of workers with skills specific to the aerospace and aviation industry. The intent is to easily connect individuals to the tremendous career opportunities in this vibrant sector by helping them to identify and pursue the education, certificates and apprenticeships needed to be part of this exceptional workforce.
Educational Programs
| Group/Category | Program Name | Institution Name | Location | Tier | Aerospace core degrees and certifications | Program/Training for Secondary and Tertiary Jobs | Training Provider/Center of Excellence | Ages Open To | Contact | Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High School | The Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence | Belleville Township High School District #201 | Belleville, IL | High School | ✓ | Grades 9 - 12 | Brian Mentzer | Superintendent | bmentzer@nullbths201.org | 618.222.8200 | ||
| High School | Coming in 2026 - Aviation Mechanincs | Collinsville Area Vocational Center | Collinsville, IL | High School | ✓ | Grades 11-12 | Joe McGinnis | Director | jmcginni@nullcusd.Kahoks.org | 618-343-6141 | ||
| High School | Aviation 1 and Aviation 2 | Lindbergh High School | St. Louis County, MO | High School | ✓ | High School | Rob Droege | Instructor | robertdroege@nulllindberghschools.ws | 314-729-2400, ext. 1073 | ||
| High School | Soar Into STEM | Washington High School | Washington, MO | High School | ✓ | High School | Dr Jennifer Kephart | Superintendent | jennifer.kephart@nullsdowmo.org | 636-231-2000 | ||
| High School | NJROTC drones | Washington High School | Washington, MO | High School | ✓ | High School | Sr Chief Nathan Hernandez | Commander | nathan.hernandez@nullsdowmo.org | 636-231-2200 | ||
| Youth Flying Programs | Intro to Flight Program | Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation | Maryland Heights, MO | Youth / Young Adult Flying Program | ✓ | Age 14 - 25 | Joe Steinman | Founder and President | joe.gyaf@nullgmail.com | 314-399-9208 | ||
| Youth Flying Programs | Red Tail Youth Flying Program | OBAP St. Louis Ace Academy | St. Louis, MO | Youth / Young Adult Flying Program | ✓ | Middle & High School | Yolandea Wood | Academy Director | yolandea.wood@nullobap.org | 618-444-5926 | ||
| Youth Flying Programs | Tuskegee Airmen Inc. | OBAP St. Louis Ace Academy | St. Louis, MO | STEM Program / Youth Flying Program | ✓ | Middle & High School | Yolandea Wood | Academy Director | yolandea.wood@nullobap.org | 618-444-5927 | ||
| STEM Programs | ACE Academy - ORGANIZATION OF BLACK AEROSPACE PROFESSIONALS | OBAP St. Louis Ace Academy | St. Louis, MO | STEM Program | ✓ | Middle & High School | Yolandea Wood | Academy Director | yolandea.wood@nullobap.org | 618-444-5925 | ||
| STEM Programs | SOAR into STEM | Wings of Hope | Chesterfield, MO | STEM Program | ✓ | High School | Lee Ann Nolte | Education Programs Manager | leeann.nolte@nullwingsofhope.ngo | 636-778-5487 | ||
| Trade School | Workforce Development Center | Four Rivers Area Career Center | Washington, MO | Trade School | ✓ | ✓ | High School | Jeanne Miller-Wood | Apprentiship | jeanne.millerwood@nullsdowmo.org | 636-231-2100 | |
| Trade School | Aviation Maintenance | State Tech | Linn, MO | Trade School | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Matt Fowler | Department Chair | matt.fowler@nullstatetechmo.edu | 573-897-5315 |
| Community College | The Center for Workforce Development | East Central College | Union, MO | Community College | ✓ | College age and older | Todd Tracy | Department Head | todd.tracy@nulleastcentral.edu | 636-649-5806 | ||
| Community College | Workforce Development Center | Jefferson College | Hillsboro, MO | Community College | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Lora Warner | Director | lwarner@nulljeffco.edu | 636-481-3223 | |
| Community College | Industrial Electricity | Lewis & Clark Community College | Edwardsville, IL | Community College | ✓ | Grade 12, College age and older | Jim Witt | Assistant Professor | jlwitt@nulllc.edu | 618-468-5832 | ||
| Community College | Welding | Lewis & Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Community College | ✓ | Grade 12, College age and older | Travis Jumper | Associate Professor | tjumper@nulllc.edu | 618-468-4931 | ||
| Community College | Drone Pilot Training | Lewis & Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Community College | ✓ | Grade 12, College age and older | Tom Steinmann | Dean of STEM | tsteinma@nulllc.edu | 618-468-4800 | ||
| Community College | Coming in 2026: Avionics | Lewis & Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Community College | ✓ | Grade 12, College age and older | Paul Kuebrich | Assistant Professor | pmkuebrich@nulllc.edu | 618-468-5859 | ||
| Community College | Coming in 2026: Sheet Metal Fabrication | Lewis & Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Community College | ✓ | Grade 12, College age and older | Randy Gallaher | Dean of Liberal Arts, Business and Information Technology | rgallaher@nulllc.edu | 618-468-4900 | ||
| Community College | Coming in 2026: Upholstery & Trim | Lewis & Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Community College | ✓ | Grade 12, College age and older | Tom Steinmann | Dean of STEM | tsteinma@nulllc.edu | 618-468-4800 | ||
| Community College | Welding | Mineral Area College | Park Hills, MO | Community College | ✓ | College age and older | Laura Norris | Instructor | lnorris@nullmineralarea.edu | 573-518-2308 | ||
| Community College | Workforce Development Center | Moberly Area College | Moberly, MO | Community College | ✓ | College age and older | Kelsey Brown | Department Chair | kbrown@nullmacc.edu | 660-263-4100 | ||
| Community College | Aviation Degrees | Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville & Granite City, IL | Community College | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Keith Mueller | Professor | keith.mueller@nullswic.edu | 618-235-2700, ext. 5683 |
|
| Community College | NEW Avionics Program | Southwestern Illinois College | Granite City Campus | Community College | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Keith Mueller | Coordinator, Pilot Training | keith.mueller@nullswic.edu | 618-235-2700, ext. 5683 | |
| Community College | Center of Workforce Innovation and Labor, and Emerson Center for Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing | St. Louis Community College | Ferguson, MO | Community College | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Becky Epps; Tom McGovern | Manager Center for Workforce Innovation; Dean, Industrial Occupations, Business and Culinary | bepps@nullstlcc.edu; tmcgovern@nullstlcc.edu | ||
| Employer Lead Programs | Boeing Pre-employment training | St. Louis Community College | Ferguson, MO | Employer Lead Program / Community College | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Brittany Adams | Dean STEMb | badams128@nullstlcc.edu | |
| Employer Lead Programs | Flight Simulator Solutions | Bugeye Technologies | Union, MO | Employer Lead Program | ✓ | ✓ | Any | Kyle Zick | President | sales@nullbugeye.com | 636-257-3530 | |
| Employer Lead Programs | Precision Aerospace Manufacturing | Enjet Aerospace | Washington, MO | Employer Lead Program | ✓ | ✓ | Any | Bruce Breckenridge | CEO | info@nullenjetaero.com | 913-717-7396 | |
| Employer Lead Programs | Aerospace Design Engineering | LMI Aerospace Sonaca Group | Washington, MO | Employer Lead Program | ✓ | ✓ | Any | Kevin Goossens | CEO | kgoossens@nullsonaca-na.com | 636-231-4200 | |
| Employer Lead Programs | West Star Aviation Academy | West Star Aviation | East Alton, IL | Employer Lead Program | ✓ | High School Graduates | Katie Johnson; Dave Lagermann | Chief People Officer; Recruiter | katiejohnson@nullwsa.aero; dlagermann@nullwsa.aero | 800-922-2421 | ||
| 4-Year College / University | McKendree University Supply Chain Management Program | McKendree University | Online/ Lebanon, IL | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Dr. Timothy J. Ros | Chair, School of Business | tjros@nullmckendree.edu | (618) 537-6403 | |
| 4-Year College / University | Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Programs | St. Louis University | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | Sridhar Condoor, Ph.D. | Department Chair | sridhar.condoor@nullslu.edu | 314-977-8444 | ||
| 4-Year College / University | Aeronautics | Saint Louis University - Aviation Science | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | Stephen Magoc | Professor | stephen.magoc@nullslu.edu | 314-977-8333 | ||
| 4-Year College / University | Aerospace Engineering Specialization | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | Hossein Eslamiat | Professor | hossein.eslamiat@nullsiu.edu | 618-453-7910 | ||
| 4-Year College / University | Supply Chain Management Specialization | Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | Dr. Norris Manning; Amanda Russel | Director, Academic Services, School of Business; Internship Coordinator | nmannin@nullsiue.edu; ambarto@nullsiue.edu | |||
| 4-Year College / University | Accredited Online BSBA in Supply Chain Management Program | Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | Dr. Norris Manning; Amanda Russel | Director, Academic Services, School of Business; Internship Coordinator | nmannin@nullsiue.edu; ambarto@nullsiue.edu | |||
| 4-Year College / University | Master of Science Supply Chain Analytics Program | University of Missouri - St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Haitao Li | Department Chair | lihait@nullumsl.edu | 314-660-8173 | |
| 4-Year College / University | Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management | University of Missouri - St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | ✓ | College age and older | Haitao Li | Department Chair | lihait@nullumsl.edu | 314-660-8174 | |
| 4-Year College / University | Joint Engineering Program with WashU | University of Missouri - St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | Janet Wilding | Asst. Vice Chancellor, Economic and Community Development | wildingj@nullumsl.edu | 314-516-4261 | ||
| 4-Year College / University | Coming in 2025: New School of Engineering | University of Missouri - St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | Janet Wilding | Asst. Vice Chancellor, Economic and Community Development | wildingj@nullumsl.edu | 314-516-4261 | ||
| 4-Year College / University | Boeing Center for Supply Chain Innovation | Washington University | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | Panos Kouvellis | Director | kouvelis@nullwustl.edu | |||
| 4-Year College / University | WASHU Master of Supply Chain Management Program | Washington University | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | OlinGradAdmissions@nullwustl.edu | 314-935-7301 | ||||
| 4-Year College / University | WASHU Master of Science in Business Analytics - Supply Chain Analytics Focus | Washington University | St. Louis, MO | 4-Year College / University | ✓ | College age and older | OlinGradAdmissions@nullwustl.edu | 314-935-7301 |
Research Programs
| Program Name | Institution Name | Location | Contact | Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirCRAFT lab | Saint Louis University | St. Louis, MO | Dr. Srikanth Gururajan | Associate Professor | Srikanth.Gururajan@nullslu.edu | 314-977-8355 |
Other Programs
| Program Name | Description | Location | Contact | Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings of Hope | Wings of Hope is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization that has been helping the world’s most vulnerable communities since 1962. As our name suggests, we use our wings to connect people to the resources they need to meet their development goals. | Chesterfield, MO | Angela Walleman | Vice President & Director of Programs | info@nullwingsofhope.ngo | (800) 448-9487 |
| AeroCareers | AerosCareers, NFP is a not-for-profit charitable and educational corporation. Our mission is Air and Space Career Education, Networking, and Mentoring for those interested in exploring the many career opportunities in the Aerospace Industry | Millstadt, IL | Nick Turk | Co-Founder | turkaviation@nullcs.com | 618-530-0805 |
| Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation | The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation's mission is to inspire youth interest in aviation. The goal is to be that “one event experience” that proves to be pivotal in changing a youth’s life forever. The Foundation attracts and nourishes that interest in aviation with actual aircraft cockpits, virtual reality flight simulation, group STEM activities and flight opportunities provided through the EAA Young Eagles Program. | Creve Coeur, MO | Joe Steinman | Founder and President | joe.gyaf@nullgmail.com | 314-399-9208 |
While the programs above are geared specifically toward careers in the aerospace sector, the St. Louis region also is well positioned to help companies in that sector and others access needed supplies and get their final products to their end destinations. To ensure the region’s continued strength as a global logistics hub, various other programs are available to expand the logistics and supply chain workforce. Learn more at the links below:
We have over 3,000 Gulfstream aircraft flying around the world today. As our fleet continues to grow, it is necessary that we expand our facilities and customer offerings. The greater St. Louis region is an area we’ve strategically identified to further invest in to support this growth. The local workforce and partnerships we’veestablished are invaluable. The strong relationships that we currently have with local educational institutions, Bi-State Development, local government and community leaders, and the phenomenal group at the St. Louis Downtown Airport have certainly contributed to our decision to continue to expand here.
Anthony “Tony” Ray
Vice President and General Manager St. Louis Completions, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.