The specific research problem associated with this study was the inconsistency among academic safety programs has resulted in a lack of reliably trained and prepared safety professionals in the aviation industry. The purpose of this qualitative research was to gain insight regarding the differences of the top aviation/aerospace academic programs along with the current needs and requirements of the aviation/aerospace. A case study design was used as the research means in a qualitative study about postsecondary academic safety programs and the needs and requirements of the aviation and aerospace industry. Participant interviews constituted the core of data collection efforts and provided the information that was sought after regarding the needs and the requirements of the aviation and aerospace industry.
The only potential limitation in this study was the possibility that one or more passively recruited participants would not speak openly with regards to the industry needs and their views on program graduates readiness in filling management positions. Absent an effective modification plan, such a limitation would have frustrated the purpose of the study if it were in fact encountered; however, no such limitation occurred. Furthermore, every participant interviewed for the study had a vast area of expertise and were both gracious and open during the interviews. No major ethical challenges were presented in the course of this study. Each interview participant was afforded an opportunity to give informed consent for their participation in the study, which included an understanding that confidentiality would be strictly maintained and that no harm would befall them. Furthermore, no deception or coercion of any kind was employed against participants at
any stage in the course of the study. I was completely open with study participants and revealed the purpose of the study at the beginning of each interview.
A major thrust of this chapter is a discussion regarding the implications associated with the research reported. One of the purposes of this chapter is to address the
implications of these inferences. Findings of this nature are explained in full and articulated logically while other distinctive features are revealed and clarified. At the same time, any perceived theoretical conflicts are addressed and new knowledge is presented for consideration. Also presented in Chapter 5 are meaningful
recommendations for the application of findings, along with suggestions for additional research related to the subject.
Implications
The overarching research question of this study was; what are the perceptions of industry safety professionals in aircraft and airport safety management on the academic training of safety professionals in the United States? Study findings provided ample material for a thorough and direct answer for this question. At the same time, important inferences and logical conclusions may also be drawn from the outcome of the study and are also presented for review.
Research from this study suggests that the perceptions of industry safety professionals, on the academic training of safety professionals in the United States, is lacking. The interview information indicated that graduates are not adequately prepared for a practical approach to safety management, and that job skills are learned after a graduate is hired, and not in a postsecondary academic program. Additionally, the need
for internships as a way of learning practical job skills became evident during the interview process.
Inasmuch as industry requirements and organizational purpose were identified in this study as major determinants of a postsecondary academic program’s desirability, a lacking of needed courses became evident. This demonstrates that a well-trained and ready to perform graduate will not be available via the training through a postsecondary program. Instead industry organizations would be better served to look to someone with minimal experience, and at a later date have the employee attend a certificate program. By having employees attend certificate programs, instead of looking to hire
postsecondary academic program graduates, there stands a better chance of having safety personnel trained for specific job needs that the organization may require.
Recommendations
The result of this study is believed to represent an important contribution to the ongoing preparation of safety management in the aviation and aerospace industry. The teaching of practical application of knowledge within a postsecondary academic
institution, vice purely hypothetical knowledge can lead to a better prepared graduate to serve in the workforce (Kaplan 2012). Though aspects of this study may be applicable to all aviation and aerospace organizations, some results might also be appropriate for non- aviation entities, particularly those that have organizational elements in common with those of a technical or risky profession. Industries that require risk assessment as part of the organizational culture could benefit as well from this study to help ensure a well- prepared employee.
Practical Applications. Knowledge obtained from this study may be appropriately assigned to any number of required workforce skills, in any number of industries. The postsecondary academic institution’s obligation to prepare a graduate for employment is not singular to the aviation and aerospace industry. In fact this can be translated to any number of fields, for example the training of teachers in the educational field or the training of doctors within the medicine field. The suggestion that industry and academic institutions need to work in partnership for the benefit of not only the student, but also the academic institution and organization is well founded (Byers, 2012).
Perhaps more than anything, knowledge obtained from this study has the potential to help aviation and aerospace organizations realize that postsecondary graduates are not always prepared. The aviation safety field is not a field intended for only theoretical knowledge, but instead is one to employ a practicality of knowledge. Also that
investment in internships and that an outreach program with academic institutions may be of benefit. Knowledge gained from this study also has the potential to help bolster
graduates in overcoming what the data from this study suggests is an unpreparedness to serve in safety management.
Future Research. Additional research related to the problem and purpose of this study is recommended. One recommendation for future research centers on a mixed methods study that would be designed specifically to measure and compare the use of academically trained safety professionals with those that are serving in safety
management roles as second careers. One purpose for the recommended research would be to obtain information that directly compares the performance of a safety manager that was academically trained to that of a safety manager that relies on some aspect of
aviation experience, such as being a pilot. The research may assist the aviation and aerospace industry with recognizing the better qualification pathway. This information could provide industry leaders with knowledge that might help them shape safety management qualifications in more calculated ways.
Sampling participants might include mechanics, pilots, and military veterans. Research subjects could also be affiliated by organization and mission experiences. All of this should be considered in light of preference for a certification or qualification.
Quantifiable data should be produced that speaks directly to the role of education and experience in relation to propensity toward hiring safety management professionals, while controlling for context. It would be useful to identify and include all relevant contextual elements as evaluation criteria.
Conclusions
Through the utilization of information gained from participant interviews, a basis of graduate preparedness could be formed. That although a base level of theory is always needed, it is the practical or applied education that truly prepares a graduate for their desired career. That being said, the most economical and realistic way to attain this would be to require a practicum of sorts prior to graduation. Furthermore, A person could surmise from the information that through a lack of partnership on behalf of the aviation and aerospace industry, and postsecondary academic institutions, that our workforce could be unprepared. This could be true if not for possible experience of potential safety managers, along with the existence of certificate programs. The
existence of certificate programs may in fact be a better pathway towards a well-prepared safety manager. With that in mind future research on workforce preparation is warranted.
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Appendixes
Appendix A: Interview Questions Research Question
What are the perceptions of industry safety professionals in aircraft and airport safety management on the academic training of safety professionals in the United States? Interview Questions
1. What current aviation/aerospace industry skills and knowledge are needed by graduates from post-secondary academic safety programs?
2. What current specialized qualifications or certifications are needed for aviation safety professionals?
3. What knowledge and skills are directly related to Federal requirements and programs?
a. Should this knowledge be required for the preparation of graduates? 4. What level of understanding of future Federal requirements and programs
will be needed by graduates (within the next five years)?
5. What (if any) industry certifications would be best served for graduates of post-secondary academic safety programs to attain prior to graduation? Note:
Basis of Questions. The interview questions are based upon the industry expert
answering, and their having an understanding of what the needs and requirements of the aviation and aerospace industry are. In order to bring safety understanding to
management the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in the process of devising a comprehensive plan to implement greater requirements for the aviation and aerospace industry (Remawi et al, 2011). This process allows for the management of an aviation or aerospace organization to take into account safety and manage through the empowerment of personnel as the subject matter experts of the organization. Building an overall safety approach within an organization, in the most efficient manner, requires the adoption of safety programs, better training for personnel, and higher qualification standards pertaining to job readiness (Lu et al, 2011).
Vetting/Field Test of Questions. The interview questions were vetted by five professionals from the aviation and aerospace industry. Two were retired military aviators, and both currently work in airport management. The three remaining professionals have worked in aviation and aerospace safety management for over 25 years each. The parameters and purpose of the research project were explained to each of the five professionals. The five professionals were then given and asked to review the