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ATEC News: December 21, 2023 |
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Holiday Gifts Incoming: A New Report Focused on Bolstering the Mechanic Pipeline |
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The latest Pipeline Report spotlights opportunities to produce more certificated aviation maintenance technicians
Achieving needed growth in the certificated aviation mechanic workforce will require efforts to attract more candidates into the pipeline and creating a smoother path to certification, new research from the Aviation Technical Education Council and Oliver Wyman finds.
The latest edition of the Pipeline Report, produced annually by ATEC and, starting in 2023, in partnership with Oliver Wyman to spotlight U.S. airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic workforce trends, shows workforce growth continues to be steady but slow. FAA data show the number of certificated mechanics has grown an average of 2.3 percent per year over the past 5 years. Current estimates show that commercial aviation alone will be 31,000 mechanics short of its needs by 2031. More skilled technicians will be needed to satisfy demand in other industry segments, including business aviation and urban air mobility.
One pathway primed to help meet demand is accredited aviation maintenance technician schools (AMTS) that prepare candidates for the FAA's airframe & powerplant (A&P) tests. ATEC’s latest survey found that 67 out of every 100 new mechanics went through school. The other 16 came from military and 18 from civilian work experience.
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New AMTS entrants increased by just 1.8 percent last year, the survey found. Pre-pandemic, this figure was routinely in double digits. Women make up 2.7 percent of the mechanic workforce—a figure that is growing by just tenths of percentage points annually.
The percentage of military veterans transitioning to civilian maintenance jobs grew by double digits for the second consecutive year. While encouraging, the pool of untapped veterans with maintenance experience remains large. ATEC estimates that less than 10 percent of veterans with maintenance backgrounds are transitioning to similar civilian roles.
Survey respondents--representatives from ATMS--cited a lack of program awareness as the primary issue keeping both candidate diversification and overall enrollment growth down. Solving this will require both local, institution-by-institution efforts combined with broader regional and national campaigns that both raise awareness and link schools directly with employers.
One effort spearheaded by ATEC, Choose Aerospace, has created a computer-assisted hybrid program designed to provide easy access to aviation maintenance curriculum. The Choose Aerospace program is expanding into communities through partnerships with school districts, municipalities, employers, and community-based organizations, developing clear pipelines and career opportunities.
Boosting the completion rate of AMTS students is another focus area. Survey respondents cited "fear of testing" as a common roadblock that prevents students from sitting for A&P exams. ATEC is working with the FAA to get progressive testing integrated into curriculum, rather than requiring candidates to wait until mandatory training is complete before taking exams (tune in to the recent members only webinar, here).
"Getting more candidates into and through the mechanic training pipeline is the only way aerospace will have enough skilled technicians to keep aircraft flying safely and on schedule," said ATEC President and Dean of the Aviation & Manufacturing Technologies program at WSU Tech James Hall. "The latest Pipeline Report spotlights the most pressing needs facing our schools and other training pathways. ATEC along with other stakeholders are focused on capitalizing on these opportunities by developing meaningful, sustainable solutions."
The latest Pipeline Report is enhanced through collaboration of ATEC and Oliver Wyman. The two organizations combined their respective datasets to offer a more comprehensive view of the aviation technical pipeline. This partnership led to enhancements in calculations and methodologies, accounting for certain modifications in trends and findings compared to previous reports. The result is a more thorough insight into the aviation technician landscape, enhancing ATEC's ability to both understand and act on emerging trends.
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New ATEC Website Brings New Member Benefits |
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Welcome to our new website! We have a brand new look and updated technology in an effort to better serve our members. We look forward to rolling out new features as we figure them out!
The new site will allow members to create a profile and manage their own event registrations, invoicing and more. Logged-in members will have exclusive access to members-only content such as previously-recorded webinars and a member directory with information about A&P programs, enrollments, graduation dates, and more.
Get started by logging in with your email here.
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Registration is now open for the Annual Conference. The event will take place on March 17-20, 2024 and promises informative sessions, good food, and some of the best aviation hot spots Tucson has to offer.
Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are still available. The schedule of events is published, watch for the official conference agenda next month.
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Featuring an Educator Course Presented by ATEC Academy |
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This year's annual conference will kick off with a new feature: educator professional development, scheduled to take place over the two days leading up to the start of the main event.
ATEC Academy is a fresh initiative led by executive leadership, addresses the escalating difficulty in recruiting and retaining skilled instructors amidst the rising demand for technical workforce.
Conducted by a seasoned educator with years of experience teaching teachers, and supported by a group of expert A&P master teachers mentoring participants, the course is limited to just 30 seats.
Take advantage of the early bird rate by registering before Feb. 1.
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Applications Open for Student and Educator of the Year |
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Each year, ATEC recognizes the community's finest through the ATEC Student and Educator of the Year awards. Prizes include a cash award, provided by JSfirm.com, expense paid attendance at the upcoming Annual Conference, provided by the Northrop Rice Foundation. New this year is a Snap-on donated toolbox for the winning student. Nominations will be accepted through Feb 1. |
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Now Accepting Applications for 2024 Scholarships |
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Choose Aerospace will provide nearly $60,000 worth of scholarships, textbooks, training systems, tools, and testing fee credits to educators and future aviators. Read more.
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Learn More About the Curriculum |
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Choose Aerospace, ATEC's sister foundation, was created to unite stakeholders to grow the pipeline and increase diversity in aviation maintenance. The non-profit is pursuing that mission through development of high school aviation maintenance programs.
The Choose Aerospace aviation maintenance curriculum puts high school students on a direct path to mechanic certification, either through direct-employment opportunities or matriculation into a part 147 programs.
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Aviation Technician Education Council
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