ARSA has supported AMT Magazine’s “40 Under 40” Awards since its inception, not just since I was presented with the award in 2015). The world will depend on young professionals for decades and the award can help attract more talent.
Capturing attention of “the youth” is important. From the FAA-administered “Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force, ”on which ARSA represents the interests of maintenance providers, to the helicopter parent-overseen “Raising Aviation Teens” on Facebook, there is no shortage of interest on minors.
When it comes recruiting new professionals, though, it behooves us to remember the adage that age and experience can beat youth and exuberance. As the Youth Task Force learned, aviation program students come in all ages: Survey responses from educational institution attendees regarding when they first learned about the industry stretched all the way up to 50. At an age when some professionals are beginning long count downs to retirement, aviation gets students embarking on new career journeys.
The focus on classrooms, playgrounds, social media accounts and other denizens of “youth,” may build a robust pipeline of talent, but it doesn’t recognize today’s demands. Every point of career entry needs support now, which demands we recognize that anyone with the proper skills and capabilities can fit.
In 2019, a coalition of industry groups submitted a draft advisory circular to the FAA illustrating the aviation maintenance profession. The industry’s submission demonstrated the breadth and depth of career entry, development, and professional growth.
“There is no single point of entry or career trajectory for aviation maintenance professionals,” the submission said. “Depending on knowledge, education, experience, skill and curiosity, individuals with an interest in the kinds of hands-on, intellectually-challenging and technically-skilled work performed in all manner of aviation maintenance facilities may begin or continue a career through any one of the ‘pathways’ described in this AC.”
Recognizing opportunities for recruiting and retaining “mature” candidates will position maintenance careers among the current ecosystem of talent. For too long, we’ve lamented the loss of individuals to other industries. While those escapes – to use a quality assurance term – are problematic, they should be used to recognize the flows among and between various skill-based careers. Let the best and brightest from other quality and technical industries come to aviation with knowledge, experience, and curiosity firmly entrenched and immediately accessible.
As we celebrate the good works and future opportunities of this year’s “40 Under 40” winners, let’s not forget that other industries focused on quality and technology will want the same talents and skills.
Read their stories. What path brought each to aviation? How do you use that information to keep like-minded individuals in aviation? How about to attract equally talented individuals from other industries? What will bring this year’s winners back if they choose to try another industry?
These are the best examples of our present and future. In congratulating them and recognizing their accomplishment, remember that anyone can walk their path. Regardless of age or experience, anyone with interest can truly fit.
Brett Levanto is vice president of operations of Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C. managing firm and client communications in conjunction with regulatory and legislative policy initiatives. He provides strategic and logistical support for the Aeronautical Repair Station Association.
