Ryan Goertzen, AAR’s VP of workforce development, and Dr. Sheree Utash, president of WSU Tech, join Lindsay Bjerregaard to discuss which strategies are successfully reducing the shortfall of aviation maintenance technicians in the U.S.
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AI-Generated Transcript Summary
The conversation examines the aviation maintenance workforce shortage and efforts to expand the pipeline of technicians. Industry data discussed shows growth in new mechanic certificates and aviation maintenance technician school enrollment, alongside projected shortages of aviation technical personnel. Retirements continue to outpace the supply of new workers, while regulatory changes and FAA reauthorization have supported growth in the number of training schools.
Workforce retention is addressed through employee engagement surveys, stay interviews, workplace celebrations and leadership development. Internal training can help technicians prepare for supervisory positions and strengthen the path from entry-level roles to leadership.
Aviation training capacity is another central issue. Enrollment at WSU Tech has increased substantially, its aviation maintenance program remains its largest, and demand has outgrown available spaces. Expansion plans include additional facilities.
The discussion describes partnerships that give students practical experience, including training centers, service-center programs and work connected to aviation companies. Earlier outreach is presented as a way to build awareness of aviation careers. Programs for middle and high school students, including Choose Aerospace, introduce technical coursework and connect students with further training or employment. A high school partnership offers students a path into summer work and potential long-term roles.
The conversation also covers ways to broaden participation in aviation maintenance. Girls-focused camps, visible women instructors and outreach to younger students can increase exposure to the field. Aviation careers are described as needing to appear current, technical and appealing to students. Military transition programs are another workforce pathway. SkillBridge and efforts to support service members seeking airframe and powerplant certifications are discussed. Across these approaches, collaboration between schools, employers and industry organizations is presented as important for addressing training capacity, student access, recruitment and retention. Examples include outreach beginning in elementary school and partnerships connecting classroom learning with hangars, production settings and employer needs.
The discussion also considers how technicians can move into leadership roles and how structured training can support that progression. Demand for training remains strong, making facilities, instructors and industry coordination key considerations for expanding the workforce pipeline.
Key Topics
- Aviation maintenance workforce projections
- FAA changes and growth in training schools
- Employee retention and engagement
- Technician leadership development
- Aviation training capacity and expansion
- Early student outreach and Choose Aerospace
- Industry partnerships and hands-on learning
- Women’s participation and military pathways
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