Many fixed base operators (FBOs) consider technician training and retention the biggest general aviation pain points today. Well-trained technicians are the backbone of safe and efficient operations. However, current requirements for both the employee and the FBO make it difficult to recruit new employees and manage them once they are hired. For those interested in becoming technicians, the many steps and education required for certification are cumbersome, confusing, and often keep them from earning a salary while training. And for those training the technician, the hours spent tracking and keeping detailed records of training progress take precious time and attention away from daily FBO operations. Without the ability for aspiring technicians to pursue certification while maintaining salary and for FBOs to synonymously track hours and academics seamlessly, technician shortages will continue to stall the growth potential for the general aviation industry.
Academy College (AC), a Bloomington, Minnesota-based school offering a variety of aviation degrees, set out to solve these barriers to entry with their Aviation Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Program. The program is 30 months in length, with 160 required hours per month. During this time, AC works in tandem with FBOs to provide interested individuals with certification training materials and resources while tracking and maintaining the hours and paperwork needed for the examination. Meanwhile, the FBO provides hands-on, on-the-job experience. At the end of the program, the hours and paperwork are provided to the FAA prior to the required examination.
Ryan Crowl, President at Bakersfield Jet Center/Loyd’s Aviation in Bakersfield, California, provides an excellent example of how FBOs can further incentivize applicants to pursue certification and support career pathways for technicians.
To encourage program completion, Bakersfield Jet Center provides applicants with a salary boost and elevated position upon graduation. To encourage retention, they also forgive the applicant’s program loan over the course of two years, should the applicant stay with the company for that time. One applicant at Bakersfield has already graduated, and two more are currently working on their certifications.
Academy College’s technician program is new, only two years old. However, by granting FBOs an active role in supervising technician training and providing them with a platform to mentor their applicants in a hands-on setting, the ability to pursue career advancement in the operational environment is exponential. For the future, AC has strategic plans to adapt the program to a two-year associate’s degree and allow apprenticeship hours to apply towards the degree.
When asked about the biggest takeaways of this program, Crowl explained, “It works across the USA, for anyone interested in becoming an aviation technician. For example, we have oil field technicians who would like to enter aviation from other industries, and this is part of retraining and retooling for them.”
He wants to see more FBOs that are struggling with technician retention join this program immediately, as the program takes time to complete. “Quit waiting!” Ryan encouraged. “While you are waiting, people are flying through this program. Start it now and count down the months. Whoever keeps people in this industry survives. Keeping a technician for 5 years is a critical make-or-break for FBOs. Retention is necessary for everyone in aviation. Those that have people will win.”
