ACRP is soliciting Letters of Interest from those interested in performing the research work. A cover letter plus a resume or CV should convey a concise idea of your knowledge of the topic and your related work and experience in the subject area. A statement that you can comply with the terms of the contract should be included. A panel of topic experts will select the contractor at their first panel meeting. The deadline for letters of interest is February 2, 2026 by 5pm eastern and can be submitted at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8553743/ACRP-Synthesis-LOI-2026

Tentative Scope

Airports increasingly recognize the value of structured apprenticeship, internship, cooperative education and externship programs in developing a highly qualified workforce. These programs offer training pathways that blend classroom instruction with practical, on the-job learning, making them particularly effective for technical, skilled trades, and operational roles within the airport environment. However, there is variation in how airports design, deliver, and evaluate these programs. A clearer understanding of the current landscape and emerging practices would help airports establish robust apprenticeship, internship, cooperative education or externship programs that aligned with both airports goals and industry workforce needs. Furthermore, understanding the current landscape of practices can help airports optimize these opportunities and align them with organizational objectives, student needs, and industry workforce efforts.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the approaches that airports use to structure apprenticeships, internship, cooperative education, and externship programs. The audience for this synthesis is airport leadership, human resources, and operational departments.

Information to be described in a concise report includes (but is not limited to):

• A literature review that includes ACRP Synthesis 103 to ensure information is not duplicated.
• Defining core program concepts, clarifying terminology, and describing common and divergent elements of airport apprenticeship, internship, cooperative education, and externship programs.
• Documenting program components including non-DEI candidate recruitment and selection criteria, length of the program, job task training and mentorship, integration with full-time employment pathways, program evaluation and feedback processes.
• Identifying collaboration structures between airports and organization like unions, educational institution, or local/state workforce for these programs.
• Identifying lessons learned from developing these programs.

Information will be collected through literature review, a survey of airports if applicable, and interviews with selected airports for the development of case examples. Knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research to address those gaps will also be identified.

Partial Information Sources

ACRP Synthesis 18: Aviation Workforce Development Practices

ACRP Synthesis 103: Promoting Aviation Career Education in High Schools and Community Colleges