Schools across the U.S. are starting new training programs to meet the demands of major airlines that are looking for qualified aircraft mechanics.
Aviation mechanic technicians are being recruited to work at airports at an alarming rate. United Airlines said it's hired almost 900 aviation mechanics this year. American Airlines created more than 500 aviation maintenance jobs this fall.
One program in Centennial, Colorado teaches students how to inspect and repair planes. The Cherry Creek Innovation Campus is a career preparedness facility for high school students. The Powerplant class at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus is the newest addition in their three-year aircraft mechanic training program.
During the class, students get hands-on experience studying the engines of helicopters and planes. Students practice problem-solving in a hangar after school, such as learning how to check the wiring in planes that may indicate a fault in their system.
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The end goal is passing an Federal Aviation Administration certification test to get a job as an aviation mechanic.
David Williamson, an instructor in the program, helps train students. Williamson said the new Powerplant class gives students the tools they need to succeed in the industry, and it already has a waiting list.
"We started mainly with aircraft mechanics getting their airframe certificate. And then very recently we added the powerplant certificate to that," Williamson said. "Now those students can leave our school with a full-what they call A&P and that allows them to go pretty much wherever they want."
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Colleges in more than a half dozen states such as New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Maine, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Texas are also launching aviation maintenance technician programs.
Brandon Sanders, director of aviation at Texarkana college, said their program starts in January.
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"You have this massive industry. And you have this one key skill set that there's not a training infrastructure that's really built for," Sanders said. "That creates a dynamic where you have a very low supply, a very high demand and the wages are going through the roof and you have a situation where employers are foaming at the mouth any and all amp mechanics to come on board."
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Starting salaries for aviation maintenance technicians are about $75,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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