• About
    • Join
    • Benefits
    • Governance
    • Members
    • School Map
    • Leadership
    • Committees
    • Flightplan
    • Awards >
      • James Rardon Student of the Year
      • Ivan D. Livi Educator of the Year
  • Choose Aerospace
  • Issues
    • Regulatory >
      • The New Part 147
      • Airman Certification Standards
      • Standard Occupation Classifications
    • Legislative
    • Competency-Based Programs
  • Events
    • Annual Conference >
      • Register
      • Exhibit
      • Sponsor
      • Employer Link
    • Outreach Meetings
    • Fly-In
    • Choose Aerospace
    • Past Events >
      • 2022 Annual Conference
      • 2021 Virtual
      • 2020 Virtual >
        • Virtual Exhibitors
      • Fly-In 2019
      • 2019 Annual Conference
      • 2018 Annual Conference
      • 2017 Annual Conference
      • 2016 Annual Conference
      • 2015 Annual Conference
      • 2014 Annual Conference
      • 1961-2012 Annual Conference
  • News
  • Pipeline Report
  • Resources
    • Workforce Data
    • Useful Links
    • Job Board
    • DME Map
    • Templates
    • ATEC News Archive
    • Affinity Programs
    • A Member Asked...
    • Webinars
    • Shared Curriculum
    • Outreach Toolkit
    • Member Badge
    • Online Learning Guide
  • The Journal
Aviation Technician Education Council
  • About
    • Join
    • Benefits
    • Governance
    • Members
    • School Map
    • Leadership
    • Committees
    • Flightplan
    • Awards >
      • James Rardon Student of the Year
      • Ivan D. Livi Educator of the Year
  • Choose Aerospace
  • Issues
    • Regulatory >
      • The New Part 147
      • Airman Certification Standards
      • Standard Occupation Classifications
    • Legislative
    • Competency-Based Programs
  • Events
    • Annual Conference >
      • Register
      • Exhibit
      • Sponsor
      • Employer Link
    • Outreach Meetings
    • Fly-In
    • Choose Aerospace
    • Past Events >
      • 2022 Annual Conference
      • 2021 Virtual
      • 2020 Virtual >
        • Virtual Exhibitors
      • Fly-In 2019
      • 2019 Annual Conference
      • 2018 Annual Conference
      • 2017 Annual Conference
      • 2016 Annual Conference
      • 2015 Annual Conference
      • 2014 Annual Conference
      • 1961-2012 Annual Conference
  • News
  • Pipeline Report
  • Resources
    • Workforce Data
    • Useful Links
    • Job Board
    • DME Map
    • Templates
    • ATEC News Archive
    • Affinity Programs
    • A Member Asked...
    • Webinars
    • Shared Curriculum
    • Outreach Toolkit
    • Member Badge
    • Online Learning Guide
  • The Journal

ATEC 2019 Conference: Debrief from Wichita

4/5/2019

1 Comment

 
This story was reprinted with their permission from Aircraft Maintenance Technology Magazine. Written by ATEC Communications Committee Chair and ATEC Journal Editor Karen Johnson.​
Nearly 250 souls—amounting to record-breaking attendance—attended the ATEC annual conference in Wichita. The March event, hosted by WSU Tech in partnership with Textron Aviation, provided general session and breakout content, networking opportunities, and for the first time, a student career fair.

After a warm welcome from WSU Tech President Sheree Utash, the event kicked off with a keynote address by Textron Executive Vice President Kriya Shortt. Shortt highlighted Textron’s footprint in the industry, and the importance of employer-educator partnerships in light of the looming technician shortage.
Council committee chairs highlighted trade association initiatives including activities in support of FAA reauthorization’s workforce grant and Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation part 147 promulgation directive. Membership reported a 72% aviation maintenance technical school market share with sights set on 85% by 2021. Communications has begun researching opportunities for enhanced member engagement through online tools, and the meeting planning committee announced dates and locations for four regional outreach meetings and plans to hold next year’s annual conference in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
 
Flight Standards Director Tim Shaver updated attendees on on-going management and cultural changes to improve agency processes and the subsequent impact on working relationships between local FAA offices and certificate holders. Other FAA representatives facilitated sessions and breakouts throughout the event including briefings on upcoming changes to mechanic applications and Organization Designation Authorization program elements that would allow schools to administer oral and practical testing. Officials and industry partners also gave an update on imminent airman certification standards and how the new testing standard will impact part 147 program content.
 
Even with the wide variety of topics discussed during the general and break-out sessions there were two prevalent themes: alleviating the technician workforce shortage and reversing the negative perception of career technical education. These issues took center stage in sessions highlighting ATEC’s Choose Aerospace initiative, results from a recent survey of aviation recruiters regarding candidate shortfalls, and a new Kansas pathway program.
 
Choose Aerospace is an awareness campaign spearheaded by ATEC to bring together a coalition of industry stakeholders to quantify staffing needs and promote aerospace technical careers. This year’s panel discussed solution-oriented strategies that the aviation maintenance community can implement in a concerted effort to alleviate the workforce shortage. Panelists called for companies to join the effort, and for educational institutions to help spread the word. For more information about that initiative, visit www.ChooseAerospace.org.
 
Directors from Textron Aviation and representatives from the Wichita Public school system briefed attendees on a new program that provides high school students with immediate technical employment potential. Kansas’ Aviation Pathway illustrated how public-private partnerships can create career paths for students while addressing local employment needs. “Wichita is a great city with dynamic relationships between education, business, and industry,” said WSU Tech Dean of Aviation Technologies Jim Hall during the session. “The program provides local employers with a skilled workforce and gives our students the training they need to begin successful careers.” The purpose of the panel was to share what the city and employers learned, and to expand existing partnerships. “Our goal as a school is to always put students first and we wanted to help other schools learn from us and we from them,” said Hall.
 
A popular session with attendees was an employer-run panel discussion surrounding knowledge and skill gaps for new technical personnel. Representatives from United Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, AAR Corp., Textron Aviation, and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems elaborated on results of a recent survey of industry recruiters. Attendees got direct accounts of what the perceived gaps in critical thinking and soft skills are among graduates and how educators can work to minimize them.
 
Following a brief message from U.S. Representative Ron Estes (R-KS), the Northrop Rice Foundation announced school and individual recipients of several awards and scholarships supported through the generous contributions of United Airlines, NIDA Corporation, Avotek, Aircraft Technical Book Company, and Snap-on to name a few. ATEC also recognized Westfield Technical Academy’s Galen Wilson as this year’s educator of the year, and Colorado Northwestern Community College’s Mikayla Green as student of the year. The two award recipients received an all-expenses-paid trip to accept the award, and for the first time, a monetary gift, courtesy of JSfirm.com.
 
For the third year, ATEC facilitated the Employer Link, intended to facilitate education-employer partnerships and to provide networking opportunities for attendees and 16 employer-company sponsors. This year’s event was held at the Kansas Aviation Museum, and incorporated ATEC’s first student career fair, where 100 students attended to learn about career opportunities with participating companies.
 
A full-day of breakouts guided attendees through various tracks focused on administration, regulatory issues, talent sourcing, instructor needs, and technical training with topics ranging from certification standards to English proficiency in the aviation field to using augmented reality in the classroom.
 
The conference again showcased an exhibition hall, where 21 companies and education vendors provided information and resources on everything from instructional products to tools. The largest-ever group of vendors included some new to the show, and others that have been involved for over 25 years.
 
The event concluded with tours highlighting Wichita aerospace. Attendees were ushered to Bombardier and Textron Aviation facilities, and visit Doc, Wichita’s Boeing B-29 Superfortress, in his new home, $6.5 million facility that opened just weeks prior to their visit.
 
Conference presentations and materials are available online at 2019 Annual Conference.

Stay tuned for 2020 conference dates, which will be announced soon!
1 Comment
NMPL link
7/29/2021 02:41:04 am

Very interesting article, about Debrief from Wichita.
Possible to understand that in that event participate a lot of different companies. I get a lot of useful information.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    ATEC News

    Stay tuned for updates on everything ATEC members need to know as well as ways that you can help the council and the AMTS community.

    Categories

    All
    DME
    High School Programs
    Legislative
    Mechanic Testing
    Part 147
    Press Releases
    Regulatory Advocacy
    Scholarships
    Webinar
    WHWDFYL
    Workforce

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    March 2012
    January 2011
    February 2010
    February 2009
    February 2008
    February 2007
    February 2006
    February 2005
    February 2004
    February 2003
    February 2002
    February 2001
    February 2000
    February 1999
    February 1998
    March 1997
    April 1996
    March 1995
    March 1994
    March 1993
    May 1992
    March 1991
    March 1990
    February 1989
    December 1988

Picture

Aviation Technician Education Council
​​atec@atec-amt.org • 703.548.2030
P.O. Box 234 • Jenks, OK 74037
​© 2020 PRIVACY POLICY
Advertise

  • About
    • Join
    • Benefits
    • Governance
    • Members
    • School Map
    • Leadership
    • Committees
    • Flightplan
    • Awards >
      • James Rardon Student of the Year
      • Ivan D. Livi Educator of the Year
  • Choose Aerospace
  • Issues
    • Regulatory >
      • The New Part 147
      • Airman Certification Standards
      • Standard Occupation Classifications
    • Legislative
    • Competency-Based Programs
  • Events
    • Annual Conference >
      • Register
      • Exhibit
      • Sponsor
      • Employer Link
    • Outreach Meetings
    • Fly-In
    • Choose Aerospace
    • Past Events >
      • 2022 Annual Conference
      • 2021 Virtual
      • 2020 Virtual >
        • Virtual Exhibitors
      • Fly-In 2019
      • 2019 Annual Conference
      • 2018 Annual Conference
      • 2017 Annual Conference
      • 2016 Annual Conference
      • 2015 Annual Conference
      • 2014 Annual Conference
      • 1961-2012 Annual Conference
  • News
  • Pipeline Report
  • Resources
    • Workforce Data
    • Useful Links
    • Job Board
    • DME Map
    • Templates
    • ATEC News Archive
    • Affinity Programs
    • A Member Asked...
    • Webinars
    • Shared Curriculum
    • Outreach Toolkit
    • Member Badge
    • Online Learning Guide
  • The Journal