The research desk
A working collection on people, technology, and the future of work. Follow the evidence, explore the patterns, and see what still needs a closer look.
The evidence atlas
Explore the connections between technology, people, and the work ahead.
| Area of interest | Capability | Capacity | Resilience |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI | |||
| Deep Tech | |||
| Physical Economy | |||
| Trust & Safety | |||
| Tech for Good |
Cells count sources in the evidence collection whose titles, summaries, industries, occupations, or constraints match the topic and lens. A source can appear in several cells. Darker cells mean more coverage in this collection, not greater demand, urgency, or research quality. Empty cells identify a gap in the collection, not an absence of activity.
Topic matching is a keyword-based starting point. Open the sources to judge relevance and distinguish reporting, forecasts, studies, and individual perspectives. The map includes older material and is not limited to a single reporting period.
Related collections: Capacity: Demand Map · Resilience: Training & Learning · Field Notes.
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Source notebook
32 sources · Showing six
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · August 28, 2025
BLS projects 5% employment growth for aircraft and avionics mechanics and technicians from 2024 to 2034, with about 13,100 annual openings. Many are replacement needs as workers transfer or retire.
Federal projectionU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · August 28, 2025
Employment for aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians is projected to grow 8% from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 900 openings annually.
Federal projectionThe Manufacturing Institute + Deloitte · April 3, 2024
The U.S. may need 3.8 million additional manufacturing workers between 2024 and 2033. Without changes to the talent system, the study estimates half of those roles could remain vacant.
Industry studyFederal Aviation Administration · June 9, 2026
FAA workforce-development grants are explicitly designed to recruit and prepare a more inclusive pipeline of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians.
Federal programU.S. Government Accountability Office · March 4, 2026
GAO reports that shortages of trained aircraft-maintenance personnel have contributed to Army, Navy, and Air Force difficulty meeting aircraft mission-capable goals.
Federal auditU.S. Government Accountability Office · April 30, 2026
Pilot certifications grew about 10% from 2017 to 2024, while more than half of certified pilots as of 2024 will reach mandatory airline retirement age within 20 years. The signal is more complex than a single shortage narrative.
Federal audit