NDIA endorses 'Project Lead the Way'.

The National Defense Industrial Association has endorsed Project Lead the Way, a nationwide program that provides proven curricula and teacher training to both improve technical education and excite students about careers in technology fields.

"We believe that Project Lead the Way has great potential to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from the U.S. education system," said NDIA President Larry Farrell in his letter of endorsement.

NDIA views its endorsement of this leading STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education program as a key component of its STEM initiative.

The association is encouraging its members to become focal points for introducing and promoting PLTW to their local school districts across the nation and to become personally engaged as mentors and advocates.

The U.S. defense, aerospace, and homeland security industries are facing serious challenges in filling some of the best and most critical technical jobs in the country.

NDIA endorsed the organization because of its proven formula for success. It builds strategic partnerships among schools, universities and industry to provide students with the rigorous, relevant education necessary to pursue engineering programs.

An analysis of 171 college transcripts of former PLTW students shows approximately 40 percent are studying engineering and technology. By comparison, only 4.3 percent of all beginning postsecondary students select engineering.

"Many of NDIA's member companies are already working with local schools to implement Project Lead the Way. Our aim is to further encourage our members, chapters, divisions, affiliates and defense industry companies at large to do the same," Farrell said.