Page 14 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2019 Online Magazine

the MRO. It also offers up to US$15,000 in tui- as part of its s efforts to increase its AMT strength.
tion reimbursement for students who pursue
the FAA A&P mechanics certificate. “THE LABOUR GAP IN THE MRO INDUSTRY IS
Students who complete the Career Pathway A REALITY THAT WE ALL FACE, THEREFORE, WE
programme will have the option of either joining
the AAR workforce or any other MRO. The pro- ALL SHARE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO GROW
gramme, which is in cooperation with partner THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED, HIGHLY-SKILLED
community schools that are in or near major WORKERS IN THE FIELD BY ELEVATING THE ROLE
aviation hubs, is currently limited to the US, OF MECHANICS AND TECHNICIANS WITHIN OUR
but the company believes it can be replicated
worldwide. INDUSTRY,” Avocet CEO Patrick Arellano Sr

Having developed the EAGLE curriculum in
collaboration with Francis Tuttle Technology
Center in Oklahoma City in 2006, AAR was one
of the first companies to address the growing
shortage of qualified technicians. The com-
pany had existing training partnerships with
schools in Indianapolis, Rockford and Duluth,
but EAGLE is a step up, as it enhances the
curriculum and the job experience for students,
including job shadowing and mentoring.

Lockheed Martin’s partnership with Texas-
based Hallmark University College of
Aeronautics involves training the school’s avi-
ation maintenance students to support its F-35
programme. Students who successfully com-
plete training are offered employment by the
defence contractor.

A Global Trend
Similar training programs, including degree apprenticeships that
provide students the opportunity to earn a degree and work in
the field at the same time, have taken off across Europe and Asia
as well. AAR, for instance, is facilitating the development of an
aviation maintenance facility near Nagpur, India, in a joint venture
with Indamer Aviation and the initial group of students will receive
practical training at one of AAR’s five MRO facilities in the United
States. Lufthansa Technical Training (LTT), which provides training
and qualification programs for the industry, provides a mix of train-
ing methods - classroom training, practical training and e-learning
methods. The organization’s activities range from initial training for
Central Florida-based MRO provider Avocet apprentices at Lufthansa Technik to a variety of training, education
Aviation’s “Stand Up for STEM” programme and qualification measures. The organization has an apprentice-
promotes careers in MRO and improving read- ship and qualification program, which it is promoting extensively
iness for the industry workforce. The initiative in different locations around the world.
includes a three-year apprenticeship program
in partnership with the Florida Department of Among the companies to identify the looming shortage even
Labor and an 18-week internship initiative with before the industry started to feel its impact, AFI KLM E&M has
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Long been actively promoting AMT careers. The company has also
term goals include expanding facilities at the designed and introduced a virtual learning web-based tool, which
Orlando-Sanford International Airport with an allows students to study EASA qualifications anywhere and any-
on-site STEM-focused school, workshop and time, besides introducing courses that allow students to train
training area; and reaching out to young stu- within aircraft operation facilities. Meanwhile, Pratt & Whitney has
dents through hosted field trips. Southwest established apprentice programs, internships, and partnerships
Airlines offers its aircraft maintenance techni- with universities in Singapore. Before it announced bankruptcy
cian apprentice program to its own employees, earlier this year, Monarch Aircraft Engineering Ltd. (MAEL) was

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