By investing in education, we are proactively investing in the future of aviation maintenance.
Châteauroux and the Centre-Val de Loire region of France have a rich history in aviation dating back to 1936 when Marcel Dassault established his first aircraft manufacturing facility. Vallair stands as one of the key players of aviation in the region over the last fifteen years. Armel Jezequel, Deputy General Manager of Vallair Industry talks passionately about the love of aviation maintenance, the facilities available at their facility for efficient training of students and his advice to youngsters considering a career in AME, in an Exclusive Interview with Swati.k.
Q – You have recently partnered with Aircraft Academy, and you have invested significantly by partnering with other educational institutions in the Centre Val de Loire Region. What was the idea behind this initiative? What motivated you to take this extra step towards the development of a skilled workforce?
Ans – There is, and always has been, a rich aviation history in Châteauroux and the Centre-Val de Loire region dating back to 1936 when Marcel Dassault established his first aircraft manufacturing facility. Training is part of our DNA at Vallair. Having invested in the new state-of-the-art giant hangar adjacent to our existing facility, as well as announcing the introduction of widebody heavy maintenance and cargo conversions, the investment in training a skilled workforce was a natural progression. By investing in education, we are proactively investing in the future of aviation maintenance.
Q – Vallair is an active participant in the aviation industry in France and belongs to two significant clusters: Aerospace Valley and Aérocentre. Can you tell our readers about your role in these clusters?
Ans – Occitanie based Aerospace Valley has over 500 affiliated companies (including Airbus, Air France Industries and Dassault Aviation) and is responsible for some 120,000 jobs in the aviation and space flight industries. Aérocentre, the regional centre of excellence in Centre-Val de Loire, works to develop and sustain the aeronautical sector across the area with over 120 member organisations. Vallair stands as one of their key players over the last fifteen years. I am, myself, am actively involved in the Aérocentre cluster on a personal level.
Q – What happens to the students once they pass out of the Academy? Does Vallair absorb these students?
Ans – A percentage of our students are already employed by Vallair, and we will be using this comprehensive training programme to upskill our existing workforce as well providing training for external candidates. We recognise the global demand and are attempting to support the global aviation industry in attempting to rebuild this crucial, skilled workforce.
Q – Can you tell us about the overview/status of aerospace maintenance engineers, their jobs, career opportunities, and quality of life in France?
Ans – We are looking to build a passion for aviation, and hope that this training programme, and the opportunities and rewards that it can afford, will encourage people to choose a more vocational path for their children. We want parents and students to choose aviation safe in the knowledge of the life-long specialist careers which lie ahead.
Q – What are your views on the current global crisis of Shortage of skilled AMEs?
Ans – The pandemic had a negative impact on admission numbers for aircraft maintenance apprenticeships and many MROs lost people through redundancy, furlough and early retirement. Industry leaders were forced to make some difficult decisions and many older aircraft maintenance professionals decided to retire rather than wait out the uncertainty. As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, there is a noticeable lack of workforce, which means that we will not be able to get as many aircraft in the air.
Q – Are the training schools today adequately equipped to provide on-job training to students?
Ans – I cannot comment on other training establishments, however our programme will enable all candidate students to receive theoretical tuition towards their EASA Part-147 approval license either in person or online, with all practical training provided in Vallair’s Châteauroux and Montpellier facilities. As part of the training, students will benefit from hands-on experience for A320, B737NG & A330 aircraft, supporting various engine types, sheetmetal, as well as being eligible for an EASA Part 66 on the aforementioned aircraft.
Q – How according to you can we mend the situation of an impending global crisis of skilled labour shortage in coming years?
Ans – The only way in which we can begin to remedy this shortfall is to encourage a new generation to consider a career in aviation, where as a mechanic, and engineer or technician, the possibilities and opportunities within the aviation maintenance industry are many and varied. This needs to start at school level, and be presented as a serious, rewarding, skilled life-long career.
Q – What advice would you give to the young students trying to pursue a career in AME.
Ans – As an aircraft mechanic, many doors are opened for you, including the possibility of experiencing different countries and cultures. This is an international profession with a global demand that is only set to increase over the coming years. This is the time to seriously consider a career in aviation!
