Piper Aircraft and International AeroTech Academy announced today a joint program to provide Piper with the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals.
The aviation industry relies on professional maintenance technicians to ensure aircraft are built to the highest standards, but demand for qualified maintenance technicians will outpace supply as early as 2022. Current industry forecasts indicate that 739,000 technicians are needed globally, with 192,000 needed in North America alone.
To help meet Piper’s need for skilled team members, the company is collaborating with International AeroTech Academy to create a pipeline for qualified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics for Piper’s Vero Beach manufacturing facility. This flow through program is the first of its kind between the legacy manufacturer and an aircraft maintenance training provider and includes a potential job offer prior to beginning the training.
“We are excited about the new business relationship that we are forging with International AeroTech. We are in a unique position to help strengthen the talent pipeline by providing job opportunities at the beginning of the student’s education, which we believe will help attract additional candidates to the program and to Piper Aircraft”, said Greg Wendel, Senior Director of Manufacturing.
Students at International AeroTech Academy will have the opportunity to interview with Piper prior to beginning Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic training. Upon successfully completing the interview Piper will provide students with a conditional letter of employment contingent upon the students’ successful completion of the AeroTech training program. Following graduation, selected candidates will begin employment at Piper’s aircraft production facility. In addition, graduates will receive a $3,000 signing bonus and an annual tuition reimbursement stipend of $2,400 per year for up to ten years.
“We are very excited to partner with Piper in our new Airframe & Powerplant maintenance training academy. The aviation industry is now and will continue to experience a severe shortage of qualified maintenance professionals. Our new partnership creates a defined career path at one of the most recognized names in aviation. The availability of tuition financing coupled with Piper’s signing bonus and annual stipend creates a unique opportunity to attract, train and retain the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals,” said Steven Markhoff, President & CEO of International Aero Tech Academy.
