Industry and Educators Come Together in Washington

The Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) is holding its annual conference March 17-20, 2018 in Washington, D.C. The council — which aims to enable the aviation maintenance technician education community to meet the aerospace industry’s workforce needs — invites educators, administrators, career services personnel, designated mechanic examiners, company recruiters, and workforce development professionals to attend.

This past April, nearly 200 individuals — including representatives from 55 aviation maintenance training schools — participated in the annual conference. With year-over-year increases in its membership and conference attendance since 2014, the council expects the annual event to provide even more networking and collaboration opportunities in 2018.

Planning for the annual event commences directly after a delegation of aviation maintenance technician educators, employers, and trade group representatives met in the nation’s capital for the council’s annual Fly-In. The fall event — historically attended by ATEC’s board of directors but as of last year open to the broader community — provides an opportunity for attendees to collaborate and educate congressional leaders and policymakers on workforce development issues. 

The first of two days brought briefings by regulators and industry groups, followed by a day on The Hill, where attendees educated congressional leaders on aviation technician workforce needs. Board directors stayed over for a third day to discuss council business and elect three new members of the board, including —

• Constant Aviation Vice President Safety, Quality, Training, Tech Programs Kent Stauffer,

• Wichita Area Technical College Aviation Technology Dean Jim Hall, and

• Lockheed Martin Senior Manager Scott Rose.

The event provided the first opportunity for many attendees to visit their elected officials in Washington. “It was my first time working on Capitol Hill, and I must say it was a learning experience,” said La Vern Phillips, director of business development, Aviation Institute of Maintenance. “I would encourage everyone to attend next year and take an active part in promoting our career agenda. Regardless of your political affiliation, you owe it to yourself to be active, contribute to ATEC efforts, and learn from that experience.”

After two years of increased attendance at the Fly-In, the board decided it was time to incorporate congressional aspects into its larger event and elected to hold the 2018 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The meeting will retain its historical structure, with two days dedicated to issue-focused panels and continuing education, but will add a day of legislative advocacy activities on Capitol Hill.

The Fly-In provides the model for the third day, which will include congressional briefings and an opportunity for attendees to meet with their elected leaders. “This is a great opportunity for us to capitalize on inroads made with federal representatives in September,” said Hallmark University Provost and ATEC Legislative Chair Jay Gregson. “Congress is poised to support technical programs and the needs of the aviation industry; having the annual conference in DC shortly after a successful Fly-In will ensure we keep the momentum going.”

In addition to the added congressional focus, an emphasis on specialized content will ensure there’s something for everyone. “Given the heightened attention on workforce development, and increased engagement from employers, our biggest challenge is making conference content applicable to a cross section of professionals,” said Amy Kienast, director of career services at MIAT College of Technology & ATEC Meeting Planning Committee Chair. While continuing education for instructors remains ATEC’s primary focus for the conference, the agenda will also include sessions that invite industry to get engaged. “Increasing breakout sessions will ensure content is catered to various audiences, including the educator, recruiter, administrator, and talent acquisition professional,” said Kienast.

Educator professional development breakouts will focus on enhanced learning in the classroom, teaching techniques, and technical certifications. Those with FAA compliance responsibilities and others with a stake in curriculum development for an airframe & powerplant mechanic program will discuss compliance matters with headquarters officials. Perhaps most pertinent, attendees will learn more about the new part 147 proposal — coming in response to industry’s request for a flexible regulation that focuses on competencies in lieu of seat time — and opportunities it will bring for aviation technical education.

Designated mechanic examiners will get an overview of the new airman certification standards and how the new standard will impact mechanic applicant testing, and program developers will learn more about creating distance learning programs and incorporating human factors content into the classroom.

Content catered to the broader community includes an overview of economic reports and data on future workforce needs, ways to enhance and implement employer-employee partnership programs, new certification programs to enhance the quality of technicians, and increased efforts to reach out to the next generation of aviators.

Throughout the event, vendors will exhibit the latest in training technologies, tools, and publications that support technical education. And an awards ceremony will highlight recipients of scholarships and awards sponsored by the aviation industry.

Also on the agenda is an encore presentation of the Employer Expo, a highlight of the 2017 conference. The wildly popular event provides a unique opportunity for employers and educators to connect and discuss partnership programs. For aviation companies, the reception is a one-stop shop for management and human resource representatives to meet with more than 150 instructors, administrators, and career development personnel from technical schools across the country. For schools, it provides the prospect of additional avenues and career options for students. 

In 2017, 10 employer companies participated, including Aviation Technical Services, Delta, Endeavor Air, SkyWest, HAECO Americas, Columbia Helicopters, United, and Panasonic.

Endeavor Air’s Technical Operations Business Manager Greg Lambert has already committed to participate again in 2018, “The Employer Expo is an excellent opportunity for employers to connect directly with leadership from schools across the country. Through this event, we were able to build new partnerships and further strengthen current relationships with schools we already work closely with.”

ATEC Annual Conference registration is open. See the agenda and get more information at http://www.atec-amt.org/annual-conference.html.