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The airline currently houses more than 12,000 aviation maintenance professionals, and is looking to take in more.
American Airlines and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance have fostered a new partnership to provide aspiring aviation maintenance technicians with a direct career path to the airline, which houses over 12,000 aviation maintenance professionals.
A promising career jumpstart
Under the Aviation Institute of Maintenance’s 21-month-long program, over 4,000 students enroll yearly to obtain the credentials and skills to become aircraft mechanics. However, the course and tuition fees are never cheap, and students often struggle even with the available financial assistance schemes.
The school’s partnership with American Airlines would prove life-changing, as it offers eligible students financial aid for certification examinations and toolboxes to give them a jumpstart in their careers. And celebrating this new working relationship was Joel English, Executive Vice President for the Aviation Institute of Maintenance:
“We are thrilled to be extending our relationship with American Airlines and providing a direct pathway to employment for our students. Our goal is to be an agent of personal and professional transition for our students and a solution for the workforce needs of the airlines and aircraft manufacturers. This direct relationship with American Airlines is a significant step forward for us and a great opportunity for our students.”
The partnership also promises airline interviews for the best applicants, albeit only from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance’s Chicago Campus. Additionally, the partnership guarantees that the top applications get continued engagement with the airline’s maintenance team and access to all of American Airlines’ maintenance facilities.
Opportunities for a career switch
Switching careers mid-way is always as risky as it is scary, given the time and financial investment required to learn new skills for the switch. But there is also good news for existing employees working within the oneworld alliance member airline.
The partnership is not only beneficial to students looking to enroll or are already enrolled in the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, but it also provides an equally valuable opportunity for employees who have been looking to switch their careers to aviation maintenance.
For current American Airlines team members, the collaboration provides discounted tuition prices and a waived application cost for those interested in becoming aviation maintenance professionals across the school’s 14 campuses across the US. Once their schooling and training are completed, they’ll be welcomed back to contribute to American Airlines’ maintenance team.
An example would be the relatively newly-elected Vice President of Line Maintenance at American Airlines, Evie Garces, who began her career within the airline as an aviation maintenance technician at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. She emphasizes:
“There is no better place to start or switch to an aircraft maintenance technician career than at American Airlines. And we want to help aspiring Aviation Maintenance Technicians by charting a path like the one established through our growing partnership with the Aviation Institute of Maintenance.”
Bottom line
This new relationship between American Airlines and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance comes as no surprise, considering the school already has a similar partnership with American Airlines’ premier regional subsidiary, Piedmont Airlines. Regardless, it is a fantastic opportunity presented to aspiring aviation maintenance technicians and even those considering a different career path in aviation.
SOURCE: https://simpleflying.com/american-airlines-aviation-institute-of-maintenance-partnership/
