Wood Dale, Illinois — AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading aviation services provider to commercial and governments operators, MROs and OEMs worldwide, announces that its EAGLE Career Pathways program for aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Division as a nationally registered apprenticeship. AAR's program standards were approved by the DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship in Washington, D.C., in February.

In addition, AAR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Association of Port Authority’s (AAPA) ACCELerate Apprenticeships program. The program’s goal is to provide competency-based curriculums, on-the-job training, program development assistance and incentive funding to expand apprenticeship opportunities for careers that drive economic mobility.

“Aviation is a key component of our nation’s transportation, distribution and logistics sector,” said Barbara R. Murray, ACCELerate Executive Director. “Apprenticeship is a proven method for developing a skilled, productive, loyal workforce. We are proud to partner with the nation’s leading aircraft maintenance repair organization to meet talent needs, reduce turnover and create a more diverse workforce.”

“Solving the immediate and long-term projected shortage of AMTs continues to be a key focus area of AAR’s workforce development strategy,” said Brian Sartain, AAR Senior Vice President, Repair and Engineering Services. “This coveted national registered apprenticeship program designation and our partnership with AAPA’s ACCELerate Apprenticeship will make our existing programs like the EAGLE Career Pathway Program even more attractive.”

Launched in 2019, AAR’s EAGLE Career Pathway program is a partnership of 15 organizations and institutions, including community colleges, high schools and youth centers, which are dedicated to growing the aviation maintenance technician pipeline. These organizations are located near AAR’s four U.S.-based aircraft repair stations in Miami, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis and Rockford, Illinois, and its global headquarters near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

For more information about AAR´s EAGLE Career Pathways program, visit https://www.aarcorp.com/eagle-pathway-program/.​

About AAR

AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial aviation and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s Aviation Services include inventory management; parts supply; OEM parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering services and component repair. AAR’s Expeditionary Services include airlift operations; mobility systems; and command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

Media contact: Daniela Pietsch, Vice President Corporate Marketing & Communications, at editor@aarcorp.com or +1 630-227-5100. 

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled “Risk Factors”, included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company’s control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.