Middle and high students to get a glimpse of real-world opportunities in growing sector

MIAMI – Global aerospace industry leader AAR (NYSE: AIR) joins forces with local business, civic and educational leaders to present the second annual Aviation & Technology Career Pathways Fair on March 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Miami Central Senior High School, 1781 NW 95th Street.

More than 550 students from middle school through high school are expected to attend the fair, part of AAR’s ongoing partnership with Miami public schools and City Year Miami, a nonprofit that provides mentoring and tutoring to students in underserved areas. Along with AAR, businesses and educators from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach and the George T. Baker Aviation School in Miami will be on hand to offer real-world perspectives on careers in the growing aviation and technology sectors.

Speakers will include Barrington Irving, who grew up in inner-city Miami and in 2007, at age 23, set a Guinness World Record as the youngest person and first African-American to fly solo around the world. Attendees will also hear from City Year Miami Executive Director Saif Ishoof and AAR Director of Recruiting Greg Dellinger.

“We are opening kids’ eyes to a wide range of career possibilities. Some aviation jobs require technical skills but not four years of college; others require advanced degrees,” said Brian Loomer, General Manager, AAR Aircraft Services – Miami. “While reaching out to the next generation, we are building the pipeline to address a critical need for skilled workers.”

This year the fair will add a soft-skills component to teach students about workplace conduct, communication and attire. Participating aviation schools will provide students with information about industry certification and two-year degrees in aviation operations, professional pilot technology, aviation maintenance management and air traffic control.

As part of a private-public partnership, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and AAR have renewed their commitment to provide financial support for a summer internship program. Last year, three Miami Central upperclassmen were hired to work at AAR’s aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Miami, one of five repair stations that make up AAR’s 1MRO network.

“We’re committed to supporting companies that are cultivating talent locally to fill highly skilled, technical positions,” Mayor Gimenez said. “Internship programs like these are an investment in the future of these kids as well as in the regional economy.”

Many of the Miami Central students who will be attending the career fair are enrolled in the school’s Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) engineering and IT magnet program. The career fair, along with field trips and service days AAR hosts throughout the year, add a real-life complement to what students learn in the classroom.

AAR adopted Miami Central in 2011 and pledged $100,000 in support of Miami public schools through nonprofit intermediary City Year to introduce teachers, guidance counselors and students to careers in aviation.

“AAR embodies what a transformational model corporate citizen can do when they invest in the potential of young people,” said Saif Ishoof, Executive Director and Vice President of City Year Miami. “We at City Year Miami are honored to have a partner like AAR who has made supporting the journey of Miami-Dade County public schools students a priority for their company and employees.”