Airports can tie up with AME training schools and universities to provide certificate courses.
Looking at the rising demands of Aircraft maintenance engineers, different airports have come forward to train students in the specialized field of aircraft maintenance. Let us have a look at a few such airports that recently took the initiative to start special programs for aspiring AMEs and aircraft technicians.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
One such airport that has come into the limelight recently is the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Officials at the airport think that very soon the airport will become a hub for teaching the students, ins and outs of airplanes.
Rick Piccolo, the president, and chief executive officer at the airport said, “As the airport and community continue to grow, this is a win for the area. This will help us to attract major repair companies because we will have a line of talent a continuous line of talent that’s available to them so that they can get talent to work on aircraft.”
Abudget of around USD 5.5 million is sanctioned by the government to build an Aviation Maintenance Technician School.Various colleges and universities in the vicinity have joined hands with Sarasota Airport to provide certificate courses.
Manatee Technical College will partner with Sarasota’s Suncoast Technical College to provide career certificate workforce training in aviation Airframe Mechanic and Aviation Powerplant Mechanic. The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will also be involved and help prepare students for licenses in aviation maintenance and employment. Once certification is complete, starting salary is around USD 65,000 a year. MTC hopes students will stay local, but their certifications will be valid throughout the country.
There are nearly 1,500 annual job openings for aircraft mechanics and technicians with growing demand as more people continue to retire. The program is expected to be operational in a couple of years. However, the authorities believe that this is a golden chance for students, even those who have careers and degrees as they will see the opportunity for a bright future.
Punta Gorda Airport
Another important Airport that has robust plans to expand its Maintenance school is the Punta Gorda Airport in Charlotte city, Florida. Recently the state government has approved a budget of USD 3 million for a new combined hangar and classroom facility for Charlotte Technical College’s FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School.
CCAA Chair Robert Hancik said, “Training new Airframe & Powerplant certified mechanics is essential to the future of air travel and the aviation industry. This funding will further solidify CTC’s success and allow for the continued expansion of its training program at PGD.”
According to the officials, this step was necessary to meet the demands of the aviation industry for aircraft mechanics.
The new hangar facility will have four classrooms to accommodate up to 100 students at a time and will be located within the airport’s new aviation expansion area known as the PGD AviEx. This location will streamline on-the-job training as the area becomes a hub for avionics and aircraft maintenance businesses. CCAA is planning to construct the facility and enter into a long-term lease with Charlotte County Public Schools to occupy and maintain it.
Constant Aviation
Constant Aviation has enhanced its innovative Maintenance Apprenticeship Program at Constant Aviation’s main MRO facilities at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (ICAO: KCLE) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (ICAO: KSFB).No prior experience is required, and apprentices will become full-time, regular employees of Constant Aviation, eligible for benefits, earning an hourly wage, and receiving pay increases as they move through milestones of the two-year program.
Constant Aviation will also cover the cost of all training and certification testing for the Maintenance Apprenticeship Program and provides study materials, access to online preparation and study software plus a base set of tools essential to begin a career in the aviation tech industry.
David H. Davies, Constant Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer said, “With the private aviation industry experiencing record growth, rising demand for technical work on aircraft has squeezed MRO staffing industrywide. We are meeting the demand through initiatives including an expanded Maintenance Apprenticeship Program that gives prospective technicians the experience and skills they need for careers in aviation through on-the-job training and classroom and online education. It’s a wonderful opportunity, especially for ambitious, hardworking people who may not have the means to acquire an expensive education but want access to success and opportunity.”
The students will work alongside experienced Aircraft Technicians, learn by performing daily technical tasks, and participate in classroom and lab work all while earning a steady income. The Maintenance Apprenticeship Program is the latest step in a multipart effort to attract new talent, create a pipeline of qualified employees for the future, and ensure a long-term balance between newer and more experienced technicians.
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Airports and MROs share a close-knit bond. It only makes sense If the maintenance personnel is trained right at the airport where there is plenty of practical maintenance experience with day-to-day problem-solving. More and more such airports should take up the initiative to provide Aircraft maintenance training to students at the airport hangars to prepare a robust and skilled workforce for the future to meet rising demands.
