Aerospace companies are finding it increasingly difficult to hire qualified maintenance personnel. With a global shortage of technically-savvy candidates on the horizon, the problem is only expected to get worse in the next decade. To stay on the projected growth trajectory, organizations will have to get creative with their recruitment strategies, and better collaborate with educational institutions and local governments to entice more young people to choose aviation technical careers.
Public-Private Partnerships
To that end, the theme of this year’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Education Council (ATEC) annual conference is public-private partnerships. With forecasted workforce deficits at the forefront of industry challenges, content will focus on innovative ideas and pragmatic solutions to usher in and better equip the next generation of aviation technicians.
For the first time in years, a school will provide the backdrop. Located at the National Center for Aviation Training, WSU Tech will make its state-of-the-art facility available to conference attendees for three days. School representatives and industry partners have carefully crafted the agenda, focusing heavily on sharing ideas and success stories.
“The Wichita-area aviation community is very excited to share what it has achieved with its technical and pipeline programs,” said WSU Tech Aviation Technologies Dean and ATEC Annual Conference Chair James Hall. “We are very proud of our school and our local partners. There is no better place to see what can come of local alliances than at WSU Tech.”
Aviation Pathway
The first day will highlight a new program set in motion by local government, private industry, and educational institutions. Aviation Pathway is Kansas’ first aviation technical education program that allows student to receive a technical certificate at high school graduation, creating the potential for immediate employment.
“Architects will share how the program came to fruition, and spark ideas for other regional partners wanting to build similar pipeline programs to meet local demand,” said Hall. “The program’s success is ultimately rooted in engaging future aviators at an earlier age and giving them a career pathway.”
The conversation will be predicated with a briefing on a new national initiative to support local programs such as Kansas’ Aviation Pathway. Choose Aerospace is a partnership of industry stakeholders, seeking to raise awareness about careers in aviation maintenance. The coalition’s first order of business is to oversee a study to pinpoint a target audience, determine the most impactful marketing initiatives, and identify career perception challenges and opportunities. Presenters will brief attendees on anticipated follow-on activities, which will include crafting messages, deploying creative initiatives, and continually measuring performance. (So far, eleven organizations have joined the coalition; the campaign will formally kick-off once requisite industry participation is secured.)
A Look at Shortfalls
The show’s main stage will round out with a panel aimed at increasing the quality of workforce candidates. Human resources personnel from a cross-section of industry segments will facilitate a frank conversation about hiring criteria and candidate shortfalls. The intention is for industry to provide quality feedback to educational institutions, and for the two parties to collaborate on how to address common and recurring shortfalls in candidate qualifications.
Day two will offer a plethora of breakouts, running on four different tracks to ensure relevant content is available for a broad range of attendees. FAA representatives will provide sessions on new mechanic testing standards, upcoming changes to airman testing processes, and a new system that will allow for better data reporting and measurement. Officials will also provide information on new organization designation authorization intended to increase access to Designated Mechanic Examiners.
Other breakouts will focus on addressing some of the challenges identified in recent ATEC member surveys, including “soft skills” instruction and apprenticeship program development. Human resources and recruitment personnel will participate in a roundtable discussion to facilitate and share best practices. And instructors will have plenty of opportunity for hands-on learning with technical training offerings (specifically on electrical termination and sheetmetal assembly) and a series of breakouts on techniques and ideas for use in the classroom.
Employer Link & Career Fair
Back by popular demand, the conference will also facilitate an evening networking reception, newly dubbed the Employer Link. The event is an opportunity for employers to communicate hiring needs to technical school representatives from across the country, and for educators to make connections that provide enhanced placement opportunities for their students.
New this year, employers will spend a Monday afternoon talking with students at ATEC’s first annual student career fair. Participants will have advance access to a repository of student resumes and an opportunity to secure space for onsite interviews.
As in past years, the exhibit hall will showcase products and services available to the aviation maintenance education community. While ATEC is expecting its largest exhibitor contingent ever, with new participants such as AeroTrain Corp., space is still available!
And as fun as all that sounds, yes, there’s more. ASA will again help break the ice with appetizers and drinks at the welcome reception. Snap-On will host dinner and drinks on a patio overlooking Stearman Field’s classic planes and landing strip. Avotek will make possible the annual awards luncheon, recognizing recipients of Northrop Rice Foundation scholarships and the Educator and Student of the year awards.
Local companies including Bombardier and Textron will host attendees for tours at their facilities. And conference festivities will wrap up with some well-deserved beverages made locally by Wichita premier craft brewing destinations.
The event is expected to attract more than 200 instructors, administrators, career services personnel, designated mechanic examiners, company recruiters, regulators and workforce development professionals. To see the full agenda and register, visit https://www.atec-amt.org/annual-conference.html.
We’ll see you in Wichita!
