Retiring A&P Technician Workforce Fuels NAA Career Fair

Many factors, including an aging aviation maintenance workforce and shortage of trained airframe and powerplant (A&P) technicians, have sparked interest in National Aviation Academy’s (NAA) Career Fairs. Employers are feeling the challenges that come with aviation maintenance professionals departing longtime positions.

To connect students and alumni with industry-leading employers, NAA’s most recent Career Fair took place in January at its Tampa Bay campus. Over 40 companies were in attendance to meet candidates, conduct interviews, and make employment offers. Piedmont, Endeavor Air, General Electric (GE) Aviation, Gulfstream, and Delta TechOps were onsite seeking qualified candidates. NAA continues to grow relationships with employers, and maintenance companies alike to facilitate the placement of trained professionals into the aviation maintenance field.

The Aviation Technician Education Council’s (ATEC) 2018Pipeline Report details the current state of A&P mechanic certificateholders, the aviation maintenance technician schools that prepare the majorityof individuals for careers in aviation maintenance, and the companies thatemploy maintenance professionals. It shows that employers are seeking ways toexcite the next generation of mechanics, who are needed to fill positions. Careergrowth opportunities and benefits are some of the things that today’s aviationemployers are using to pique future mechanics’ interest.

Pamela Van Sant, National Aviation Academy’s President/COO,stated, “Veteran aviation maintenance technicians are retiring at anunprecedented rate. With so many amazing aviation maintenance opportunitiesavailable, it’s no wonder that companies are taking notice of highly-trained,newly-certified A&P technicians. We offer quality training to maintain theworld’s air fleet.”

The sheer number of available aviation maintenanceopportunities is worth mentioning. Boeing’s 2019 Pilot & Technician Outlookforecasts that 769,000 new aviation maintenance technicians will be needed worldwideby 2038. As aging mechanics begin to retire, and the demand for more mechanicsincreases, the need for new talent grows.

NAA’s next career fair will take place at NAA’s New England campus at 130 Baker Ave. Ext. in Concord, Massachusetts on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. General Electric (GE) Aviation, Embraer, Gulfstream, and Piedmont will be in attendance. NAA-Tampa Bay will host their next career fair on Thursday, May 14, 2020.

NAA's 2019 Tampa Bay career fair proved to be its largest one yet with over 44 companies in attendance last year.