"One of the biggest risks executives face in the (aviation) industry is finding enough qualified talent to support demand growth amid retirements."
PWC and AIA May 2023, On the radar: Evolving workforce and aerospace and defense firm needs
Starting in high school to AAR and beyond
The EAGLE Career Pathway model is comprised of serveral different pathway options to careers in aviation. Through its offerings, the EAGLE program is aligned to assist in growing the talent pool necessary to meet the aviation maintenance workforce demands.
Our core values
The EAGLE Career Pathway Program participants focus on five core values including Ethics, Airworthiness, Greatness, Leadership, and Engagement.
Pathways
There are many different ways you can become an aviation maintenance technician through the EAGLE Program. Explore the different pathways below.
Embry-Riddle SkillBridge program
The Aviation Maintenance SkillBridge course is an intensive nine-week program that trains transitioning military, veterans and eligible military spouses in aviation maintenance and connects them to aerospace industry partners, including AAR, who can offer them lucrative and exciting careers. Read an article about the program.
Apprenticeship program
AAR has an approved National Apprenticeship Program with the U.S. Department of Labor. Currently, we have 70 apprentices enrolled in our program. AAR’s Apprenticeship Program is also approved by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs allowing military service members to use their housing allowance while enrolled in our Airframe and Powerplant Technician program.
High school programs
We have specific programs for high school students in Indianapolis and Chicago and partner closely with Choose Aerospace.
VIPER Transitions
VIPER’s Mission is to end veteran suicide through the elimination of its main causes: veteran unemployment, underemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, and a fractured support system. We work to accomplish our mission through pre-employment training, resource networking, outreach, and the inclusion of military spouses in our programs.
A newly developed twelve-week program based upon the FAA general curriculum is slated to launch its first cohort of students in August in partnership with the Aircraft Maintenance Fraternal Association (AMFA), Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) and AAR as the primary hiring partner.
AAR Fellowship Program
The AAR EAGLE Fellowship Program is the latest addition to our existing EAGLE Career Pathway Program to help grow the aviation technician pipeline. As an EAGLE Fellow students will receive tuition assistance up to $15,000 and have the ability to work at our Rockford or Indianapolis Airframe MRO facility while completing their Airframe and Powerplant program at Rock Valley College or AIM (Rockford) or AIM or Vincennes University (Indianapolis). Upon graduation AAR will provide financial assistance to ensure that each fellow receives their Airframe and Powerplant certification. AAR Fellows must agree to work for AAR a minimum of two years.
EAGLE Pathway Resources
Ryan Goertzen
VP Maintenance Workforce Development
Aviation industry workforce reports
Although the mechanic workforce is growing, demand is expected to grow even faster, with the North American fleet projected to increase by about 20% over the next 10 years.
2024 Pipeline Report & AMTS Directory, Aviation Technician Education Council + Oliver Wyman
716,000 technicians are needed globally with 123,000 in North America.
