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Headlines may be about announcing layoffs and furloughs but workforce experts caution how employers do it will determine the likelihood employees will come back. A good employee separation experience will ensure they will want to come back.
Companies recognize workforce is a key asset they need to maintain for business continuity, according to AvWeek Senior Editor Michael Bruno, one of four speakers in the publication’s recent workforce webinar. During the COVID-19 and the Workforce: Protecting Our Best Assets, speakers indicated employers should be planning now for the return. Sixty-seven percent of attendees indicated they were either working on stabilizing their business or strategizing for return The big challenge, said PWC People and Change Partner, John Karren, is how industry sustains its current workforce. “They are afraid to let workers go because they might not come back in such a tight labor market. Laying off thousands of workers would mean they might go to other industries. Karren outlined the many steps employers should be taking including establishing return-to-work protocols and training. Cleaning and social distancing will remain important because the 2018 Influenza Pandemic came in three waves. Bruno pointed to Spirit AeroSystems which is now trying to find jobs for its workforce in other companies in hopes they will remain in Wichita and be available to return once this is all over. “Talent was always rare, and it is even rarer now if you believe the industry’s future is strong,” said Bruno. Scott Dratch, chair, Workforce Policy Council, Aerospace Industries Association advised employers to talk to their customers to determine expected production and maintenance workflows and to help develop the framework for returning to work. "Investing in workforce is still important," said Karren. “How do we invest in workforce as those workplace changes happen,” he asked, adding employers needed to develop strategies on how to invest in the development of their people and what new training will be necessary. How do we shape young professionals who are experiencing their first industry crisis? This is not only how to get them back to work but in getting them back to working differently. This includes not only physical safety but mental safety by using employee assistance programs, adding telemedicine to the benefit package. One company secured a contract with Uber Eats to ensure families are taken care of.” Dratch said companies are experimenting with adopting new technologies such as augmented reality. Other new technologies will be enabled with 5G and employers need to think about incorporating them into the Post-Covid workplace. Working virtually will be part of the future and companies also need to develop strategies for that, added Karren, who reported productivity has remained high despite working from home. Dratch advised employers to read a National Defense University paper Weathering the Storm Leading Your Organization Through a Pandemic, calling it an ideal resource for employers. “In 2013, open jobs numbered just of 19,000,” said Moderator Carole Rickard Hedden, executive editor, Aviation Week Executive Intelligence. “Today it is 55,000 and companies are poaching each other’s employees so there is an increased emphasis on retaining employees. We are seeing young professionals seeking jobs but mostly within their own companies.” In addition, aerospace companies are very much pressing forward on internships, considered lifeblood of the talent pipeline. Fifty-four percent of webinar attendees plan to honor their job and internship offers. But that raises other questions, said Karren, such as the development of virtual internship programs that are meaningful and productive.
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While delivery of “level 1” part 147 content is relatively straightforward—aviation maintenance instructors are getting very familiar with zoom and other platforms that allow for student-instructor interactions—how are schools providing students with the opportunity to complete lab work needed to graduate their A&P programs? Get information on some online resources, how some are narrowing the scope of what needs to be done in-person vs. remotely, and utilization of real-world experience as a stopgap for part 147 requirements.
The webinar will take place on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 11 AM CT. Registration is free to ATEC members. Industry is making measurable progress developing a sufficient, sustainable pipeline of aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs), but clear opportunities remain that can increase momentum, led by filling available slots in technical schools, a new report on AMT career development finds.
The report was developed from data collected by Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) and includes findings from a broad survey of accredited aviation maintenance technician schools (AMTS). The data was compiled and analyzed before the novel coronavirus pandemic triggered a significant decline in commercial air transport. While the near- and medium- term implications of airline capacity cuts on maintenance demand remains unclear, demand projections made as of February suggest that industry must focus on continuing to fill the skilled-worker pipeline to meet the long-term need for technicians. The report’s analysis shows that the 7,363 airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificates issued by the U.S. FAA in 2019 were nearly 10% more than in 2018, and the most in 17 years. The industry is attracting more prospective aviation mechanics as well: A&P school enrollments grew by 2% in 2019, the biggest annual jump in five years. These clear positives show that extensive industry efforts to develop more certified aviation mechanics is paying off, but more needs to be done. Mechanics are still retiring faster than they are being replaced. Industry will need to increase its annual figure of new mechanics by 37% relative to 2019’s figure to meet the projected 20-year demand. One place to start: filling more slots at technical schools. Despite the uptick in mechanic certifications and A&P program enrollments, two out of every five A&P program seats remain open. "The report reflects the shortage of skilled workers in aviation and shows that we were just starting to see some positive, longer-term trends developing,” said Crystal Maguire, ATEC’s executive director. “We have been working hard to get this pipeline in the direction it’s going, and this is the first report indicating that many of the things we are doing are taking hold. We can’t forget that there was a shortage prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we can’t lose the people we’ve worked hard to get in the pipeline.” The report’s other key findings provide more details on the challenge facing industry as more mechanics near retirement, while highlighting opportunities to ensure enough new entrants are coming online to replace them and meet anticipated additional needs. Among them:
The report’s findings suggest that one fruitful strategy will be increasing efforts to highlight aviation technical careers. While the awareness issue was cited by schools of various sizes, smaller schools—which make up the majority of AMTS—are less likely to implement their own marketing campaigns to sell aviation technical programs and post-graduation career opportunities. This spring, ATEC formalized a national campaign to support local recruitment efforts to alleviate some of these barriers. Learn more at www.chooseaerospace.org. Download the 2020 Pipeline Report and media kit at www.atec-amt.org/pipeline-report. ### About ATEC: ATEC is a partnership of aviation maintenance training schools and employers. The council is dedicated to promoting and supporting technician education through its communications, advocacy programs and networking events. To learn more, visit http://www.atec-amt.org/. An instructor at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and a student from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance have been named the 2020 recipients of ATEC's most prestigious awards. The annual awards are made possible through partnership with the Northrop Rice Foundation and JSfirm.com, who provide travel reimbursements and cash prizes to recipients.
PIA Educator Al Simon was named the Ivan D. Livi Aviation Maintenance Educator of the Year Award for 2020, while Aviation Institute of Maintenance Student Nicole Cain was named the James Rardon Aviation Maintenance Technician Student of the Year for 2020. Cain, the fourth AIM students to receive the award since 2000, was cited for academic achievement, involvement in activities that showcase leadership, and other contributions to the school and/or community. As this year’s winner, she will receive free registration, airfare, lodging, and a meal stipend to attend the ATEC Annual Conference in September. Additionally, she will be presented with a plaque and cash award at the ATEC Awards Luncheon. Cain held a 4.0 GPA throughout her 21-month program, while also providing tutoring to fellow students and regularly leading class projects. As a wounded veteran, she devoted time to the school’s Veteran Resource Center assisting other student veteran’s transition to civilian life. Outside of class, she trained junior mechanics in maintaining the airworthiness of unique aircraft as an apprentice at the Military Aviation Museum where she has been offered a full-time position and is the first intern to convert to employee. “Her passion for aviation is infectious,” said AIM’s Director of Education Tim Murray. She commits herself to her education, and her apprenticeship. Despite being a single mother and a wounded veteran, Nicole’s dedication to her studies and fellow students is apparent. Our institution, the local community, the organization of Women in Aviation International, and the local veteran population are all the better due to her involvement.” Nominations for instructor of the year come from across the country to recognize AMT instructors who, either through a single event or over the span of a career, have a direct impact on aviation maintenance students. Simon joins two other PIA instructors who have received the award since 1990. Simon’s experience began as a 1969 graduate of PIA, after which he began his service in the United States Marine Corps. His civilian career includes positions at Allegheny Airlines and FedEx. Simon is currently in his 20th year of teaching at PIA, continuing to hand down his wisdom and experiences to future technicians. "Mr. Simon has contributed so much to the education of PIA students over the years,” said PIA Dean of Academic Affairs Jason Pfarr. “We are truly honored that he has spent his career at our institution." Both Cain and Simon will be honored at the ATEC Annual Conference Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Avotek, scheduled for September 13-16, 2020 in Fort Worth, TX. The Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity covering $4.925 million in grants for future transportation research.
Through its University Transportation Centers program, the department seeks research into: 1. Highly Automated Transportation Systems Research; 2. Communications Technology and E-Commerce Effects on Travel Demand; 3. Implications of Accessible Automated Vehicles and Mobility Services for People with Disabilities; or 4. Strategic Implications of Changing Public Transportation Travel Trends. Only two- and four-year U.S. non-profit institutions are eligible. Read more. The agency revised a deviation memo, originally released on March 12 (see related post), directing the inspector workforce to provide further relief for part 147 schools electing to provide A&P program content to students online. Download the revised memo.
The original memo limited relief to current program enrollees, stating it should not be used for "new students." The limitation was problematic for schools that do not follow a traditional enrollment schedule, with rolling enrollments happening now or in the near future. The revised memo removes that limitation, and also adds a timeline (30 days after termination of the deviation memo) by which programs must return to "the AMTS standard curriculum" (i.e., for those schools that do not have permanent distance learning authorization, a return to classroom instruction). Under the original memo, the agency stated that inspectors should approve absentee policy revisions and allow up to 80 hours of absence for a part 147 program. The revised memo clarifies that while missed material must be made available for content missed during the absence, make-up time is not (and never has been) required. According to agency reports, around 40% of current part 147 schools have taken advantage of the deviation memo and requested approval to deliver content online and/or make a change to their absentee policy. Around 20% of schools have suspended operations, for at least the time being. The remaining 40% have yet to reach out to the agency with a request for online delivery, or suspension notification. ATEC held an online webinar to educate schools on the memo and to provide resources for taking content online. Listen to the recorded version and see available resources on the COVID Issue Page. Aviation maintenance technical schools are facing unprecedented challenges during the coronavirus outbreak. With massive school closures, part 147 institutions must find innovative ways to serve their students. Get a brief on FAA guidance providing relief for schools that do not currently have distance learning approval, best practices from other schools that are getting online platforms up and running, and information on online resources available for programs that decide to go online.
The webinar will take place on Friday, Mar 27, 2020 1:00 PM CDT. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Those that register but are not able attend the live version will receive a link to the recorded version. In lieu of the growing coronavirus concerns, the council will hold its traditionally springtime event in the fall. The 2020 conference which was originally scheduled for March 30-April 1, will now take place Sept. 13-16, 2020. See the latest conference information and agenda on the conference web page.
The conference will occur in place of the Washington Fly-in, which will be cancelled in its entirety. We regret the inconvenience and disappointment this has caused, and thank the membership for its patience and understanding as the association works through the process of rescheduling. This postponement will no doubt create questions, and we ask for your patience in advance as we respond to a high volume of emails and phone calls. Please allow up to a week for us to respond to your inquiries. In the meantime, here are some answers to what we anticipate to be the most commonly-asked questions. Should I cancel current hotel reservations? For those individuals who made a hotel reservation through the ATEC room block at the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel, the hotel has already cancelled your reservation. If you did not receive a cancellation notification from the hotel via email, please contact the hotel directly to confirm cancellation. We will let the community know when a new hotel room block has been secured for the new conference dates. Attendees may rebook accommodation at that time. Do I need to re-register for the Annual Conference now scheduled for September? No. All current attendee registrations will be carried over to the September dates. There is nothing you need to do to secure a seat at the September event. See the latest attendee list to confirm whether you are already registered. What if I'm currently registered and cannot attend in September? You can cancel your registration for a full refund, or we can credit your organization's account to apply to a future event registration. Please submit all cancellation requests to Tarra Ruttman at atec@atec-amt.org. What if I already reached out to cancel my attendance due to flight restriction or other coronavirus-related reason? All attendees registered as of March 9 will remain on the registration list; your registration cancellation request was not processed if it was received last week. If you would like to confirm cancellation for the September event, please send an email to Tarra Ruttman at atec@atec-amt.org. What should I do about my flight reservations? Please refer to your airline carrier’s policies regarding fees associated with cancelling or rescheduling flights. Most if not all carriers are waiving cancellation and rebooking fees. Will there be changes to the event agenda? As of right now we do not anticipate any changes to the agenda, the entire program will be shifted to the new dates. That said, any modification required as we coordinate re-bookings with conference vendors and partners will be reflected as they are available on the online agenda. Will this impact the 2021 conference dates? The 2021 event will proceed as scheduled. (We were going to save announcement for the conference, but, drumroll please...) The 2021 ATEC Annual Conference will be hosted by United Airlines at its Flight Training Center in Denver. Mark your calendar for March 28-31, 2021! The Federal Aviation Administration's Designee Standardization Branch have moved the Recurrent DME Part II Training to a virtual format as the result of Covid-19. Those who registered for the recurrent training scheduled for April 2 in Fort Worth will have access to the virtual training, but timing depends on the establishment of the virtual training format.
“It is our intent, by offering Recurrent Designated Mechanic Examiner Part II recurrent training in an alternative format to minimize the effects on your training and your ability to conduct oral and practical tests,” said the agency. It advised those choosing not to attend the virtual training will be able to attend an in-person training sometime later this year. Once the virtual training is established, trainees will receive a guide on how to access the offering, thus eliminating the need for travel. While the Windows platform is preferred, students will be able to access the virtual classroom via their electronic device with internet connectivity. Follow up alerts on how to access the offering and material will be provided no later than the end of March. If you have questions, email designeeseminars@faa.gov or call 405-954-6495.  For the seventh year in a row, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation’s Work Ethic Scholarship Program is accepting applications for the next generation of skilled workers looking to get trained for jobs that are in demand. All aircraft-mechanics-in-training are invited to apply.
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation has decided to extend the deadline by one month. Work ethic scholarship applications must now be submitted by April 30th at 11:59 PM PDT. All interested should visit www.mikeroweWORKS.org/scholarship to learn more about the program and access the application. The assets of the Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute (PAI) will be sold at public auction after the school closed its doors in 2019.
The Clinton Essex Warren Washington Board of Cooperative Education Services (CEWW BOCES) is holding the auction which includes the FAA Part 147 Airframe and Powerplant curriculum, equipment tooling, supplies and multiple aircraft associated with the school. PAI developed a quality program and remained in good standing with the FAA during it’s 10 years as a Part 147 school. Bids and requests to acquire individual items will not be accepted. For more information contact James McCartney III at (518) 561-1000 43. A listing of photographs and items to be auctioned can be found at the CEWW BOCES website http://www.cves.org/aviation-auction/ ***Update*** The ATEC Annual Conference will be rescheduled. The team is currently working on postponement dates and will notify the membership of the reschedule no later than Tuesday, March 17. Thank you for your patience as we work through all the details to ensure a smooth transition to a fall event.
----------------------- The 2020 ATEC Annual Conference will take place as planned. The safety, wellbeing and experience at the event is a top priority. We are following official guidance and working with our host to put the best preventative measures in place. Executive leadership and our host Tarrant County Community College, are actively monitoring the situation, including the steps being taken both by local, state, and federal authorities to limit the risks to the public. We will immediately inform attendees should there be any significant changes and will keep our website up to date with the latest information. As ever, we will do everything we can to ensure it’s a great event. FAA Issues Deviation to Part 147 Guidance to Address Instruction Disruptions due to COVID-193/11/2020 ***Update*** FAA has issued a memorandum to local offices providing guidance on processing deviations to part 147 course content delivery. Download it here.
The memo directs FAA personnel to authorize temporary delivery of content through distance learning. To facilitate a school's request for temporary distance learning authorization, ATEC is making its distance learning application template available for free to all ATEC member schools. To download it, add the template to your cart and enter the members only password in the coupon code field. (Don't know the members-only password? Email Tarra.) ------------------ The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO). The impact of this virus has caused multiple states and cities within the US to take action by reducing or limiting public gatherings which includes the closure of schools in some locations. These closures may impact student learning and schedules of some part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools (AMTS). The FAA is preparing a devision memo for all Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) with oversight responsibilities of AMTS. The intention is to provide a path forward for AMTS that could minimize interruptions to student learning. ATEC is working closely with the agency and has offered its expertise to help draft the language so that it provides a workable solution for all involved. The deviation memo is expected to publish by early next week. Stay tuned for more information as it is available. With 11 million jobs and $1.6 trillion in annual economic activity, the aviation industry is a key economic driver, an aviation coalition noted in its letter to the Senate Transportation, Housing & Urban Development (T-HUD) Chair Susan Collins and Ranking Member Jack Reed, urging full funding for the aviation grant programs dedicated to the education of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians.
The grant programs, authorized by the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, sets aside $5,000 per year for each of the two grant initiatives. The coalition urged Collins to make full funding a part of the 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. It also dispatched a letter to House T-HUD Chair David Price and Ranking Member Mario Diaz-Balart thanking them for including the grant funding in their 2020 bill and urging continued support for the programs as they deliberate the 2021 funding bill. “Today, the aviation industry faces a dire shortage of trained pilots, aviation technicians and other professionals necessary to fly, maintain, and repair commercial, recreational and military aircraft,” said the letter which is enthusiastically supported by ATEC. “These shortages come at a time when demand for new pilots and mechanics is rising due to increased consumer demand for air travel, new aircraft are entering the global fleet, and the current aviation workforce reaches retirement age.” The coalition of more than 40 aviation organizations noted the grants promote public-private sector collaboration between businesses, labor organizations, schools, and governmental entities to pursue innovative strategies to give young people an accessible career path in aviation as a pilot or professional technician and to develop a 21st Century aviation workforce. The coalition also said the programs will empower communities to engage directly in workforce development efforts, encouraging local investment and job growth. In September, ATEC sent a written request providing a proposed solution that would allow aviation maintenance technician schools to create more streamlined partnerships with other educational institutions.
In its letter, ATEC suggested that the FAA dispense with its continued reference to “satellite locations,” something the agency says is “prohibited” under the regulations. Instead, ATEC called on the agency to make policy changes that would allow schools to deliver AMTS content to enrolled students away from its “primary location,” via “additional fixed locations” provided on the AMTS operations specification. Under the proposal, a part 147 certificated school could provide its curriculum at a partner high school and bestow upon that high school student AMTS credit without that student first enrolling in the A&P program. Since the high school is provided as an “additional fixed location” on the part 147 operations specifications, that location would also be subject to FAA oversight. In its response, the FAA doubled down on its position that part 147 prohibits an AMTS from providing courses at an additional training location, “the current regulations in part 147 do not expressly allow for nor facilitate the use of satellite training locations by evidence of the FAA’s intent to allow an AMTS to have a single location.” The conclusion suggests the agency misunderstood ATEC’s request. ATEC did not ask for the FAA to allow for an AMTS satellite location, it asked that the FAA take a new approach through utilization of operations specifications, one that would not require formal rulemaking and allow greater flexibility and bypass widespread confusion that will undoubtedly arise if the agency’s regulatory proposals in the part 147 NPRM and SNPRM come to fruition. ATEC’s September letter was followed by extensive in person discussions with regulators at its annual Fly-in. Even given the seeming agreement with ATEC’s position at that time, the agency has refused to implement—or even properly address—ATEC’s proposed solution. In ATEC's most recent member survey, FAA-imposed limitations was cited as one of the top barriers to development of AMTS-high school dual enrollment programs. ATEC will not be deterred. Indeed, if passed, the PARTT 147 Act would force agency adoption of the proposed framework, despite the reluctance. That bill continues to garner additional support from legislative leaders, following recent visits to the Hill from a group of ATEC representatives. Join the effort, contact your representatives and encourage them to support the bill. With the introduction of a bill creating the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation (NCAA), the industry has moved a step closer to addressing the barriers and challenges for increasing the aviation workforce. The bill – S-3860 The National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act – can be found here.
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), creates an independent, stakeholder-led national center for aviation, a forum for cross-disciplinary collaboration for supporting aviation and aerospace education and curriculum efforts. It would, said the two legislators, “leverage industry expertise to develop and deploy the needed workforce of trained and qualified pilots, engineers and maintainers. It would also serve as a central repository of economic and safety data and advance a collaborative process to promote aviation in the United States and assist in the development of the next generation of aviation and aerospace workers.” The legislation, which results from industry recommendations called for by Inhofe last year, comes shortly after the House Aviation Subcommittee held hearings recounting the challenges of students from such education institutions as Queens-based Aviation High School and Vaughn College in pursuing careers in aviation including the lack of educational funding and the need to equip such institutions for the 21st Century technology used in aircraft. ATEC reported on the hearings earlier. The two legislators have long spearheaded efforts to address industry workforce challenges and this legislation enjoys wide-spread support from stakeholders across the industry. “The NCAA will advance a collaborative process to promote aviation in the United States and assist in the development of the next generation of aviation and aerospace workers,” said Inhofe in introducing the bill. “I appreciate all the input and support from stakeholders across the aviation community that have made today’s legislation possible.” Duckworth agreed. “As a pilot, I know that investing in aviation-focused education and workforce development programs helps attract and retain the best talent and keeps our nation at the forefront of global aviation innovation,” she said. “I’m proud to introduce the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act with Sen. Inhofe to support the development of next-generation aviators and foster collaboration in the aviation and aerospace industries to help meet the demands and challenges of tomorrow.”  On Feb. 19, a group of ATEC representatives visited Washington DC for a "check in" with congressional representatives to push the Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act (S.3043/H.R.5427). The bill, which has broad industry support and largely based on language ATEC offered in its comments to the part 147 NPRM and SNPRM, directs the FAA to replace the current, long-outdated rule with new language. The legislative effort comes in response to a slow-moving regulatory process and industry's call for a performance-based approach, elements that are not present in the FAA's current regulatory proposals. The group met with 18 congressional offices in one day, focusing on members of the aviation subcommittee in both the House and the Senate. The meetings came in the wake of a Feb. 11 House congressional hearing on workforce development, a venue congressional leaders used to highlight the need for modernized aviation training.  "Our group included representatives from all sectors of education, including private colleges, four-year public institutions, and community colleges," said Southern Utah University Director of Global Aviation Maintenance Training and ATEC Legislative Chair Jared Britt. "And we had outstanding support from industry, including MRO, airlines, and labor. It made a powerful statement in our congressional meetings." ATEC members are encouraged to capitalize on the momentum and reach out to members of Congress asking them to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill. See the grassroots action toolkit for resources and instructions.
 AAR, an independent provider of aviation services to commercial and government customers around the world needs to fill more than 150 positions throughout its 60-location aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) network and sees ATEC and its annual conference as a great way to do it.
“The ATEC Employer Link is a critical stop that allows us to engage with students as well as educators that producing the technical workforce needed throughout the aviation industry,” said Ryan Goertzen, AAR’s vice president workforce development. Goertzen pointed to the Company’s EAGLE Career Pathway Program designed to provide a systematic path for high school and college students to develop their careers at aviation maintenance providers like AAR and beyond. Selected EAGLE partner schools provide the level of training that exceeds the FAA standards and prepares students for entry to one of five U.S. AAR MRO facilities. “The EAGLE Career Pathway Program is a perfect example of the importance of attracting students to the careers as aviation technicians,” he said. “We are dedicated to growing the talent necessary to meet the aviation maintenance demands of the future. EAGLE is also a marketing tool used by schools to explain the career path beyond the entry-level technician role to positions in management, maintenance operations, quality control and safety." “We have over 6,000 employees worldwide for the global MRO business,” Goertzen explained. “A large part of our MRO business is supported by a skilled workforce of over 3,000 aviation maintenance technicians that help us deliver quality service to our customers. That is why it is so important to develop the pipeline. So, we will be an active participant in this year’s ATEC Annual Conference and Career Fair. It is one of our most important opportunities to educate the community on career opportunities in aviation maintenance and we are very much looking forward to interacting with students and educators there.” AAR offers competitive benefits and professional development essential to individuals career growth. AAR supports learning and development because it creates a culture that encourages, supports and innovation. The Company has immediate openings for aircraft maintenance technicians. To view open positions, visit aarcorp.com/careers. AAR is an independent provider of aviation services to commercial and government customers in over 100 countries. AAR’s aftermarket expertise and award-winning Market Solutions, including MRO Services, Parts Supply, Integrated Solutions and Manufacturing, can be integrated or leveraged separately to help customers increase efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining high levels of quality, service and safety. It is a trusted partner to airlines, militaries and OEMs delivering competitiveness so they can focus on transporting passengers, cargo and parts around the world.  With a team of more than 12,000 professionals, United Airline Technical Operations has been involved in ATEC for about seven years and considers it one of its more valuable partners, according to Senior Manager Tech Operations Matt Fortin.
“ATEC is an extremely valuable resource for United Airlines and for the collective industry,” he said. “The issues they fight for, the initiatives they drive, the investments they are making means ATEC is a powerhouse promoting awareness, driving solutions, and fighting for the best interests of technical schools and organizations.” United has over 80 year's experience in the airline maintenance industry and, in addition to seeing to its own fleet and operations, it has more than 40 customers worldwide that have contracted for the United quality of maintenance. The Tech Ops team numbers more than 8,900 aviation maintenance technicians and inspectors and more than 3,900 engineers and support employees. It has more than 40 line stations – the largest network of its kind – and a 2.9 million-square-foot maintenance center in San Francisco. It has a complete array of specialities including landing gear, composites, components, engines, line maintenance and AOG/GEM. Fortin is looking forward to the upcoming ATEC Annual Conference and cited many reasons for United’s participation. “Networking, education and promoting United Airlines are important,” he said. “But there are so many valuable breakout sessions and engagement opportunities during the event. Every aviation company and technical school should circle this date on their calendars!”
“ATEC helps me to understand the issues facing Part 147 training organizations and allows me to provide insight to my colleagues that can only be found be engaging with the membership of ATEC,” said Walker, who is active as an Industry Board Member. “My organization is involved in maintenance type training and so the opportunity to participate in ATEC only helps to broaden our perspective of maintenance training.”
A decade-long member, Boeing values the insight received from ATEC. Boeing’s current maintenance training courses which cover the 787 and 737 MAX as well as legacy programs such as the 737 NG, 747-8 767-200/300, 717, 737 Classic, 747-400 and 777. Boeing offers comprehensive and flexible maintenance training products and services to customers and focuses on enabling the customers to train themselves by licensing them its assembled and content-rich training materials. A key company goal is to enable training at the customer location which provides a cost-effective training solution. Benefits include OEM-created material, the ability to easily edit/modify courses for other uses to increase training flexibility and provide training to staff who otherwise would not attend training at Boeing. It also increases flexibility and the reduces time away from home base and provides ongoing support and technical consultation. “There are several reasons why I attend the conference every year,” he said. “Probably number one for me is seeing all of the members. It’s been almost 10 years of participation and I’ve gotten to know quite a few of the members. I really enjoy engaging with this community and it really helps that we have in common many of the same concerns and ideas with respect to aviation maintenance training. I also enjoy attending the various sessions that are scheduled at the conference as it gives me an opportunity to listen to other issues or viewpoints that I can’t get anywhere else.” With top airline and maintenance, repair and overhaul companies scheduled to attend the ATEC Career Fair on March 30 at the Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus in Fort Worth, students are urged to reserve their place for networking with future employers.
The popular career fair is part of ATEC's annual conference and will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is where aspiring aviation maintenance professionals and recruiters come together to discuss career opportunities. The Career Fair provides an opportunity for employers to scout out new talent and aspiring AMTs to make an impression. Employers already signed on include AAR, Air Wisconsin, Envoy, Aviation Technical Services, JSFirm, Elliott Aviation, Endeavor Air, Lockheed Martin, United, Piedmont and PSA. Career fair attendees are required to attend a preparation webinar, taking place on Tue, Mar 3, 2020 at 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM CST. The webinar will provide exclusive information on employers along with sessions on job interviewing coaching and resume building. Employers interested in participating can sign up here. ***Update 2/26/20*** Read ATEC's written statement submitted to the congressional hearing record here.
It is clear from testimony at the recent hearing on workforce issues before the House Aviation Subcommittee, that more programs are being developed to attract kids at a younger age and to create high school partnerships, internships and apprenticeships. Industry and government are also working to ensure smoother transitions between military and civilian workforces. Witnesses, including Aviation High School Principal Steven Jackson and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology President Sharon DeVivo joined Delta Tech Ops and Gulfstream Aerospace to deliver a unified message. Eliminating barriers to entry, creating new funding streams, and updating antiquated training regulations were suggestions provided for governmental support of aviation workforce development. Training capacity is a barrier, according to Aviation High School Principal Steven Jackson, who reported the entire aviation maintenance school capacity in the US is 35,000 students but because of the outdated perception of aviation mechanics, part 147 schools fill only half the seats. He indicated schools will not be able to meet the demand for193,000 aviation maintenance personnel in the next 20 years, especially as other industries attract graduates away from aviation. He suggested a rebranding of sorts. “Troubleshooting a Boeing 787 requires an individual with advance training, who has the ability to analyze symptoms, read and interpret sophisticated wiring diagrams, use complex tooling, and test equipment in order to determine the root of the problem,” said Jackson. “Within the industry, we often debate the titles of positions: mechanic vs technician. However, we strongly feel that the mechanic would be better represented and marketed, as a career, if they were to be branded as the aircraft engineers as they are.” Jackson also pushed for lowering the employment age to provide high school students the opportunity to get on-airport jobs. Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology President Sharon DeVivo noted that education programs like Vaughn provide an equality of opportunity, with 82% of students coming from minority communities. “The average family income for a Vaughn student is about $39,000 and within one year of graduation, 99 percent of those students are employed or continuing their education,” she said, noting the average debt load is more than $17,000 for maintenance students. “That is the evidence of the transformation possible with a Vaughn education. We don’t just change that student’s life we change the whole family’s trajectory. DeVivo went on to suggest that Congress increase the maximum Pell award since many student families do not qualify for a PLUS loan (the traditional loan offered to parents of students) owing to credit scores or lack of credit. “By lowering the overall debt load for the neediest students, you provide a lifetime career path with incredible opportunities.” The two educators were joined by Joseph McDermott, managing director, Delta Technical Operations, Jay Neely, vice president of law and public affairs, Gulfstream Aerospace and Dana Donati, general manager and director of academic programs, LIFT Academy. All urged support for new regulations for training aviation maintenance personnel, now the subject of FAA rulemaking and legislation introduced in the Senate and House late last year. Witnesses and legislators expressed growing frustration with the slow rulemaking process and the FAA’s continued delay to promulgate a new part 147. The Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act of 2019 would update decades old regulation in favor of a performance-based system and ensure schools have the flexibility to teach relevant curriculum. Industry welcomed news, delivered by FAA Senior Advisor for Aviation Workforce Outreach Kate Lang, that the agency is planning to issue part 147 by October. Lang’s fills a new FAA position responsible for promote intra-agency support of workforce issues. The recent creation of the FAA’s Aviation Workforce Steering Committee will assess aviation workforce challenges and identify concrete actions that will have a positive impact. But her appointment, while welcome, also indicated how late government is to addressing the shortage. General Accountability Office (GAO) Director Physical Infrastructure Issues Heather Krause spoke of a need to further study the issue and gather data from various departments. In addition, Krause suggested there is no shortage, as GAO reported in its most recent workforce study analyzed by ATEC recently. Arizona Representative Greg Stanton countered GAO's conclusion stating studies show 50% of workers are shortly heading into retirement and 70% of companies surveyed reported hiring difficulties. For more coverage, visit: February 12, 2020: New to Avotek-Online and available now: Principles of Sound. Sound is an important factor in the life of aviation professionals and this course provides some of the base knowledge to help you understand how sound is created, how it is propagated, and the effects it can have on aircraft and personnel.
Principles of Sound joins Avotek’s list of converted programs previously offered only on DVD for classroom use. Over the last year, Avotek has converted five DVDs into online programs in an effort to make their products more accessible to professionals, professors and students. These five programs are part of our AMT Skills Series. Avotek-Online doesn’t just stop there. You can find the AET Test Prep Series on the website as well. Enroll in Principles of Sound on the Avotek-Online website for just $9. https://avotek-online.com/p/principles-of-sound About Avotek Avotek, of Weyers Cave, VA, develops and manufactures modern, fully functional aviation maintenance training systems; publishes a full line of high-quality, up-to-date textbooks that complement its training systems; and offers online training. Avotek has earned an industry reputation for quality and excellence. Our team of authors includes mechanics, inspectors, aviation experts, and instructors. They are actively involved in aviation maintenance training or working in the aviation maintenance field. They bring their expertise to Avotek from colleges, universities, and current hands-on experience. # # # This press release is also available at https://www.avotek.com/new-avotek-online-course-available-now-principles-of-sound/ The Aviation Technology Program with Pierpont Community and Technical College at Bridgeport, WV have two general aviation airframes available to a good home, Director Dr. Brad Gilbert, told ATEC. The two airframes – minus engines – are a Beech Baron and a Cessna 310 For more information contact Gilbert at brad.gilbert@pierpont.edu or Elliott Stricklin 304-367-4800.   In response to a 2018 FAA Reauthorization Bill directive, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a new report on the aviation maintenance workforce to facilitate FAA efforts to promote a “robust, diverse workforce.” While the report recognizes limitations on datasets provided through the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FAA, it ultimately concludes, as it did in a 2014 report, that “labor market indicators… (unemployment, wages, and employment)… were not consistent with the existence of hiring difficulties.” In other words, since wages are not going up, and the population of current technicians is not increasing, GAO concludes there is no indication of a shortage.
ATEC takes issue with the finding given 1) the Bureau of Labor Statistics data is insufficient since it does not distinguish between certificated and non-certificated technicians 2) the analysis does not appear to have taken into consideration looming retirements, and 3) ATEC data suggests that wages are in fact increasing as illustrated by the data in the soon-to-be published 2020 Pipeline Report will show that beginning hourly rates for AMTS graduates are on the rise. That said, the GAO conclusion is not necessarily counter to what industry has been seeing or saying—that the shortage may not be upon us now, but it soon will be. Indeed, the 2017 Oliver Wyman report indicated demand will not outstrip supply for maintenance technicians until 2023. The report contains some other interesting tidbits, including a statement by FAA officials that the new part 147 rule will publish in October 2020. It also presents some much-sought-after data regarding the number of exiting military personnel with aviation maintenance technician experience, something industry will use to help us better understand the number of transitioning veterans we fail to recruit to support civil aviation. The report comes days before a scheduled House Aviation Subcommittee hearing on aviation maintenance workforce issues. “Looking Forward: The Future of America’s Aviation Maintenance and Manufacturing Workforce,” will take place on Feb. 11 starting at 10 AM. Several ATEC member representatives will testify, including Aviation High School, Vaughn College, and Delta Air Lines. See the hearing live on the subcommittee's website. |
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