The global aerospace sector is actively working to bridge the skills gap between academic education and the practical demands of the job market, with Honeywell Aerospace leading the charge. The company underscores the necessity of hands-on training for IT students and graduates, who, despite their strong grasp of theoretical concepts in artificial intelligence, often find themselves lacking the real-world experience essential for success in the industry.
To address this challenge, Honeywell, under the leadership of team head Nazia Taylor, is hosting a four-day workshop that includes an AI hackathon. This event is tailored to offer participants vital experience by guiding them through a particular use case, showcasing how IT teams collaborate to devise and market digital solutions. Taylor emphasized that the workshop’s primary objective is to help students grasp the collaborative essence of the industry, encompassing solution testing and effective presentation skills for wider audiences.
Beyond imparting important technical abilities, this initiative also aims to dispel fears regarding the potential of artificial intelligence to displace jobs. Honeywell promotes the idea that AI is designed to enhance work processes and empower professionals to make more efficient, informed decisions.
The team is optimistic about Fiji’s potential, asserting that with the right resources, mentorship, and exposure, local students can indeed compete on a global platform without the need to relocate. This commitment to developing local talent not only reflects Honeywell’s dedication to the workforce of the future but also indicates a hopeful trajectory for the aerospace industry’s ongoing evolution.