Aviation services provider AAR has launched Fellowship Programs to attract more maintenance technicians to the industry.
In partnership with Vincennes University and Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) in Indianapolis, AAR will offer selected fellows scholarships for airframe and powerplant programmes while working at an AAR MRO facility. The students will receive tuition assistance up to $15,000. After graduating, AAR said fellows “in good standing” will be guaranteed employment with AAR – a prerequisite of the fellowship being an agreement to work for AAR for a minimum of two years.
AAR has trialled the new programmes at Rock Valley College, Illinois, using its MRO at Rockford to give the students hands-on experience.
The latest Fellowship Programs build on AAR’s existing Ethics, Airworthiness, Greatness, Leadership and Engagement (EAGLE) Career Pathway Programme with the university and AIM, designed to meet the future labour demands of the industry. The selection process requires students to have already completed the FAA General Curriculum.
“The need for aviation maintenance technicians is as critical as the shortage of pilots and continues to grow,” said Brian Sartain, vice president, Repair and Engineering, AAR. “AAR continues to lead the industry in addressing the need for mechanics in the industry while strengthening our relationships with these schools through our Fellowship Program.”
“AAR’s Fellowship Programs remove the cost of education as a barrier to enter the aviation maintenance technician field,” said Michael Gehrich, director of Aviation, Vincennes University. “This shows AAR’s commitment to help fill the aviation maintenance technician pipeline and connect students with the potential for a six-figure career track.”
In May, Constant Aviation enhanced its maintenance technician programme to meet fast growing demand within the sector.
