Online Survey Asks Employers What Skills They're Looking For

Representatives with Nashua, NH-based Daniel Webster College (DWC) told ANN this week the college is proactively seeking advice from industry leaders to help formulate the programs, skills, and curricula of the future --  so that the college’s students will have the necessary experience and know-how to meet the emerging needs of an industry that requires "workforce ready" employees.

With a team of eight professionals from its aviation division, enrollment management, career resources, marketing and public relations, the so-called DWC "SWAT Team" is seeing real success in receiving feedback from players in the field -- from CEOs of aviation-related industries, to those who do the hands-on work.

"We’ve always prided ourselves as being a leader in aviation education," said vice president for enrollment, Sean Ryan. "We’re not sitting back to react to the twists and turns of the industry. We want to know what employers of our graduates want in terms of education, experience, qualities, and skills."

The survey is online, and available for industry professionals to access at the FMI link below.

"What’s been so exciting is the feedback we’ve been receiving from a short survey we e-mailed to individuals throughout the industry," added DWC’s Director of Flight Operations Stephen K. Brown. "We’ve received hundreds of replies, along with invitations to speak about the topic in more depth with many individuals."

Organizations who have responded include air taxi/charter operators, airlines, airport operations, air cargo carriers, consulting firms, corporate flight facility, FBOs, government entities, equipment manufacturers, engineering, information technology and security firms.

Currently, Daniel Webster offers three aviation course -- aviation flight operations, air traffic management (below), and aviation management -- as well as aeronautical engineering baccalaureate degrees. DWC also launched its online master's degree for aviation professionals this year.

"We want to create the programs and experiences that employees will be looking for in their future hiring plans," said Ryan. "And to do it right, we need their input."

Founded in 1965, Daniel Webster is a student-focused independent college with a primary concentration on experiential learning. Daniel Webster College's nationally ranked degree programs in aviation are well complemented by its innovative programs in business and management, computer science and information technology, aeronautical and mechanical engineering, sport management, and social and behavioral sciences.

FMI: Take The Survey, www.dwc.edu