Another story about a technician shortage

Today I read another article about the looming mechanic shortages, but more interestingly I read the comments. Aviation-mechanic-shortage-looms-as-risk-for-industry Most are of the same vein in that the wages need to be better and the benefits improved. But what I think they miss sometimes is aviation is a passion. And we are running out of passionate people willing to overlook the drawbacks and dedicate themselves to this field. That passion does not magically start at the graduation ceremony at an A&P school it has to be nurtured long before.

Labor shortages always exist when the economy improves. Skilled labor deficiencies exist in all industries that required the skills that are taught in A&P school. In fact, many companies are beginning to raid A&P schools for labor. Disney to name one just offered the entire graduating class of a school in Arizona. I remember an article recently about how many A&P school graduates leave aviation career for jobs with less oversite and better pay and benefits.

So how do we get that passion back? Probably going to a high school for a day won’t plant that passion. Maybe inviting these future technicians into your facility as uncertificated workers might set a flame.  One solution is to hire them into an apprenticeship program and then, including OJT, sponsor them to take aviation courses in either formal sessions for online. Then after a year or two, the company can provide the apprentice with a letter that would allow them to take their writtens. Then after a short time of preparation, have them take their orals and practical exams, which could be possible at the company DME.

If this process sounds familiar, it should. It’s how every other modern country in the world obtains and retains maintenance labor needs. I think the days of having mechanics graduate from school and coming knocking on their door for jobs are gone. Moving forward if a company wants to hire and retain well-qualified technicians they will need to invest in the technician themselves. In return, these technicians will have that passion you need because you provided that opportunity. 

The FAA has the rules in place the allow for an employer to provide on the job training to qualify to take the written tests in FAR Part 65. The problem lies in that the curriculum for FAR 147 has not changed since 1958 and those OJT qualifications based on modern aircraft. However, an employer can always work with the FAA and the Designees to allow for a practical test that more closely align with those skills. You just have to know how.