Insights/News
Cignus Selected for ACRP Secondary Education Research Project
December 1, 2024
ACRP and the Transportation Research Board selected Cignus Consulting to develop a web resource cataloging secondary aviation education programs and provide strategic recommendations for expanding aviation workforce pipelines.
The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has selected Cignus Consulting, LLC as the performing organization for ACRP Project 11-04C: Academic Programs - Secondary Education Opportunities. The $250,000 contract commenced December 1, 2024 and runs through February 2026.
The project addresses a recognized need in the airport industry to increase the number and diversity of young people exploring and entering aviation careers across both technical and non-technical disciplines. Building on the success of existing ACRP academic programs including the Graduate Research Award and University Design Competition, Cignus will develop a comprehensive web-based resource that catalogs existing secondary education programs in aviation and aerospace offered by traditional and non-traditional organizations nationwide.
In addition to the web resource, Cignus will provide strategic recommendations to ACRP regarding support for current secondary education initiatives and the potential development of a new challenge program with an emphasis on airport-related topics - helping the industry build a pipeline of future aviation professionals from the ground up.
"We are deeply honored to be entrusted with this project by the ACRP and TRB," said Dr. Florian Hafner, Executive VP and CTO of Cignus. "As an Adjunct Professor of Systems Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, I have seen firsthand how the right educational opportunity at the right moment can ignite a lifelong career in aviation. This project is a rare chance to merge Cignus's industry expertise with our passion for education - and to help open doors for young people who may not yet know that aviation is waiting for them."
Dr. Hafner serves as Principal Investigator on the project. The engagement reflects Cignus's growing role not only as a technical and strategic consultant to the aviation industry, but as an advocate for the next generation of aviation professionals.