This partnership is an example of how airlines and service providers are working to meet diversity, equity and inclusion goals to diversify our talent pool
22 July 2021: Alaska Airlines has teamed up with AAR Corp to create a Flow through Program for aviation maintenance technicians in the future. The program is the first of its kind between an airline and an aviation services provider to focus on education and career training and recruit new workers from diverse backgrounds.
Nathan Engel, interim vice president of Maintenance & Engineering at Alaska Airlines said, “We are in a unique position to strengthen the talent pipeline through recruitment of groups historically underrepresented in aviation. AAR has made incredible strides with its focus on recruiting diverse candidates, and this partnership is an example of how we’re working to meet our diversity, equity and inclusion goals to diversify our talent pool. We’re eager to see these skilled technicians wearing an Alaska Airlines uniform as the next step in their career.”
Stan Mayer, general manager at AAR Airframe Maintenance in Oklahoma City, OK said, “The Aviation Maintenance Technician shortage continues to grow as so many are retiring or leaving the business. We believe the Alaska Airlines Flow through Agreement will help to attract new and upcoming technicians, and with our 19-year relationship, it only makes sense to help each other.”
Under the program, applicants complete their training and feed into a role at an AAR maintenance facility. If the applicant is in good standing and has completed three years with AAR as an aircraft technician, they qualify to apply to a career opening at Alaska and are guaranteed an interview. Alaska has 14 maintenance-staffed bases across its network.
Through its diversity, equity and inclusion goals, Alaska has committed to help create career pathways for at least 175,000 young people by 2025.
