|
ATEC News: September 19, 2024 | |
Mechanic Workforce Pipeline Flow Increasing, But Demand Still Out-pacing Supply | |
|
Barriers in the U.S. aviation technician workforce pipeline are slowly being removed. Still, the projected growth rate of certified mechanics remains insufficient to meet demand, a new joint report from ATEC and Oliver Wyman concludes.
The 2024 edition of the Pipeline Report, produced annually by ATEC and Oliver Wyman to spotlight U.S. A&P mechanic workforce trends, highlights several encouraging developments. Among them: new mechanic certificates jumped 32% in 2023, enrollment at aviation maintenance technician schools was up 6%, and the military pathway for new mechanic certifications continued its strong, annual double-digit growth pattern, as 32% more veterans obtained FAA A&P certification compared to 2022.
Despite these tailwinds, the influx of new mechanics will be insufficient to meet commercial aviation's projected needs amid rising demand for air travel for the next decade. The current shortage is estimated at 9% and will reach nearly 20%--equivalent to about 25,000 certificated mechanics--by 2028, the report finds.
Add in demand for non-airline sectors, including business aviation and the emerging urban air mobility segment, and the shortfall becomes even larger. "We are seeing some positive changes in the aviation technician workforce pipeline," ATEC Executive Director Crystal Maguire said. "But the pace of retirements combined with aviation's projected growth means demand continues to out-pace supply. ATEC is focused on tapping promising resources for new A&P candidates, including our veterans and under-represented populations. We also continue to work tirelessly to remove hurdles in the pathway, such as a lack of instructors and examiners."
| |
Among the areas ripe with opportunity: AMTS enrollment is rising, but schools report an average capacity of just 65%. Filling the rest requires a combination of increasing awareness through local and national programs, and adding more resources such as instructors and training tools.
Increasing the number of veterans pursuing their A&Ps will be one of ATEC's priorities in the coming years. Last year, about 1,500 veterans with aviation maintenance experience earned their certificates. But ATEC estimates that about 22,000 service members with aviation maintenance backgrounds leave the military each year. Closing that gap will help the industry meet rising demand for well-trained technical professionals.
The FAA has pledged to increase designated mechanic examiner availability by incorporating DMEs into the Organization Designation Authorization program (see related story). An ATEC priority, ODA DMEs may be available as soon as next year.
Among the 2024 Pipeline Report's key takeaways:
- A three-year period of A&P candidates deferring their goal of becoming certificated ended in 2023, as new mechanic certificates shot up 32%, totaling a record 9,400. This surge can be attributed to several factors, including an end (and apparent reversal) of deferrals, the development of new work-based certification pathway programs, a rise in student certifications in A&P programs, and increased enrollment.
- Despite the uptick in 2023, the current retirement bubble means the influx of new mechanics will be insufficient to meet replacement needs for the next decade. The current shortage is estimated at 9%, and will reach nearly 20%, equivalent to about 25,000 certificated mechanics, by 2028.
- A lack of resources is constraining AMTS throughput. Many schools report maximum practical capacities that are below their allowable capacities due to shortages of instructors, facility space, or other resources. Designated Mechanic Examiner shortages are another key constraint. ATEC estimates that the industry needs 30% more DMEs just to account for the current flow of graduates.
- The percentage of women among newly certificated A&P mechanics is rising, but slowly. Women make up just 2.8% of the mechanic population, up from 2.2% a decade ago. Rates in the pipeline are slightly better: 6.7% of new AMTS-sourced certificated mechanics are women, compared to 4% of those sourced from military or civilian experience.
- The AMTS student load factor, which measures the ratio of available A&P program seats to enrolled students, has improved to 65%. Nationally, there are an estimated 12,000 seats available within the A&P school network. Despite commendable efforts and initiatives that boosted AMTS enrollments by 5% last year, one in every three available seats remains unfilled.
ATEC unveiled the annual report on Capitol Hill today during its annual Fly-in. The congressional and press release luncheon briefed attendees on the report's findings and initiatives to support aviation technical workforce development.
| |
ATEC Annual Conference March 16-19, 2025 | |
|
Mark your calendar for the 2025 Annual Conference in Norfolk, VA March 16-19!
Exhibitors and Sponsors registration is open. Book by October 1 to secure early bird exhibitor rates. Register here.
| |
|
The ATEC Journal is a peer-reviewed, biannual electronic publication. The publication provides an opportunity for educators, administrators, students, and industry personnel to share teaching techniques and research. Submissions for the fall issue are due Oct 1. Read more. | |
It's that time of year when we will be invading your inbox with your 2025 membership dues. Please visit the "Company" and "People" tabs in your Member Compass to verify company and primary/billing contact information is correct. If you are having trouble accessing the company tab on your member compass, please email tarra.ruttman@atec-amt.org. Invoices will go out in early October. | |
VAI Aviation Maintenance Scholarships Available | |
VAI is now accepting applications for its 2025 Scholarship program. All VAI members can apply for scholarships in aviation maintenance, commercial helicopter pilot ratings, and pilot safety. Read more. | |
ATEC Academy Fall 2024 Course Kicks Off | |
ATEC launched the Fall 2024 cohort of the ATEC Academy last month! This initiative addresses the critical shortage of qualified aviation instructors, providing essential training for professionals transitioning from industry to the classroom. Read more. | |
|
Did you know that ATEC has affinity programs with several partners? Here's a list of companies we work with to offer you savings.
| |
Part 147 School Directory | |
ATEC members have access to the school directory. The directory includes all institutions certificated by the FAA under part 147. The information is gathered from the FAA AMTS database and ATEC's annual AMTS survey. See the directory. | |
Choose Aerospace and AAR Celebrate High School Internship Graduation | |
Oklahoma Representative Stephanie Bice was in attendance during the recent Choose Aerospace/AAR graduation ceremony. The internship program graduation ceremony celebrated 10 high school students who spent their summer learning about aviation and career opportunities at AAR's Oklahoma City location. Read more here. | |
Choose Aerospace Aviation Curriculum Information | |
|
In partnership with Clemson University Center for Workforce Development, ARCS Aviation, ATEC, labor organizations, industry employers, and education partners, the Choose Aerospace aviation curriculum puts students on a direct path to FAA mechanic certification.
The approximately 500-hour curriculum was created to meet the rising demand for aviation technical personnel and to facilitate career path development. the program is intended for use in a high school classroom (years 11 and 12), but the modular content facilitates a flexible approach to meet a wide range of schedule and program needs.
The content can be deployed in a variety of settings including community-based workforce development and veterans-to-work programs. Learn more.
| Applications for the 2025 scholarship program will be accepted beginning November 1. Several awards are available for schools, students, and educators thanks to our generous donors. | | | | |
