Life at MHIRJ: Bryan Carpentier

Skilled aviation maintenance technicians are in high demand, so there's never been a better time to explore the opportunities. Whether you have a passion for aviation, a knack for technical expertise, or simply the curiosity and drive to learn, pursuing a hands-on career that offers a fast track to certification and long-term stability and growth could be in the cards for you.

A career as an FAA-certified aviation maintenance technician opens the door to a wide range of opportunities in the aviation industry, including working for a major MRO like MHIRJ. One of the most direct routes to a successful career in aviation maintenance is through an FAA-certified school.

THE PATH TO CERTIFICATION

On average, you can complete an FAA-certified aviation maintenance technician program in just 18-24 months. This intensive, full-time program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical education they need to get started. Upon successfully completing the program, graduates are then eligible to take the FAA exams to earn certification as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic. Having your A&P license gives you an advantage in terms of premiums, growth, and advancement in the industry, so it’s highly recommended that you obtain it.

To get started, look for aviation maintenance technician programs offered by community colleges, technical schools, or aviation maintenance training organizations. There are over 21,000 programs to choose from across the U.S. making the education easily accessible.

KICKSTARTING YOUR CAREER

Whether you're a recent high school graduate or looking to transition into a new field, the aviation industry welcomes individuals from all backgrounds to join its ranks of skilled professionals. While you don’t need any experience to begin your education and career, people with a military or other technical background often have an edge when pursuing a career in aviation maintenance. Their prior experience and expertise can accelerate their learning curve and provide them with a solid foundation for success in the field.

OPPORTUNITIES AND GROWTH

Many programs include internships or cooperative education opportunities where you can gain hands-on experience working on aircraft under the supervision of certified technicians. In fact, MHIRJ offers new graduates a paid mentorship program and a world of opportunities in aviation maintenance.

We hire graduates right out of school and offer a competitive salary that increases with experience and certifications. If you want a clear path for long-term career advancement and development, continuous training, full benefits, annual bonus, paid overtime, paid hourly premiums, and even a 7% match on your 401K, then MHIRJ is your gateway to success.

A GROWING WORKFORCE

Aviation is a high-demand industry with a rapidly increasing employment rate that’s 8% higher than the U.S. average, so embarking on a career as an FAA-certified aviation maintenance technician is not only rewarding but also offers the promise of solid earnings and career growth opportunities. With the right education, training, and determination, you can pave the way for a successful career in aviation maintenance. Make your move by exploring opportunities at MHIRJ: https://www.mhirj.com/en/careers

With the demand for skilled aviation maintenance technicians at an all-time high, it’s a great time to consider transitioning your career into a field that offers so much room for growth and advancement. While direct experience in aviation or mechanical fields is of course beneficial, there’s a diverse range of backgrounds, existing skills, and expertise that can provide you with a solid foundation and help set you up for a rewarding, long-term career.

A career in aviation maintenance could be closer than you think. In fact, having a background or skill set in a number of fields can give you the edge and help fast-track you toward success in the industry. We’ve compiled a list of examples of previous careers and skills that can be suitable for transitioning to become an aviation maintenance technician:

MILITARY PERSONNEL

Veterans, especially those with experience in any military aviation maintenance role, such as aircraft mechanics, technicians, or crew chiefs, possess valuable skills directly transferable to civilian aviation. Their training and hands-on experience with aircraft systems, maintenance procedures, and safety protocols provide a strong foundation for transitioning to civilian aviation maintenance roles.

MECHANICS AND TECHNICIANS

If you have experience in automotive or heavy equipment maintenance, you also bring relevant mechanical skills and valuable troubleshooting abilities to the aviation maintenance field. This kind of background means you’re familiar with tools, equipment, and diagnostic techniques that are also used in maintenance and repair tasks, making it easier to adapt to aircraft maintenance procedures.

ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Professionals with electronics and electrical engineering backgrounds have specialized knowledge in electrical systems, wiring, and electronic components. This expertise can be extremely valuable when it comes to troubleshooting and repairing avionics systems, like navigation, communication, and instrumentation systems, within various types of aircraft.

ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL FIELDS

This one may seem evident, but if you have a degree or experience in engineering disciplines like aerospace or mechanics, you’re likely to have the analytical skills and technical knowledge applicable to aviation maintenance. This is especially true if you already specialize in aircraft structural analysis, propulsion systems, or avionics design, meaning you’ll bring rich expertise in aircraft systems and components.

SHEET METAL WORK

When it comes to structural repair and maintenance, sheet metal work experience is a huge asset. Skills like metalworking techniques, precision, and attention to detail are directly applicable to aircraft maintenance tasks like repairing damaged panels or fabricating replacement parts. As a bonus, familiarity with blueprints and technical drawings, a safety-conscious mindset, and possessing problem-solving abilities are always welcome.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND INSPECTION

If you have any background or experience in quality assurance, inspection, or regulatory compliance roles, then you’re likely to have a strong understanding of industry standards, regulations, and safety protocols, which is, of course, inherently essential in aviation. Your attention to detail, adherence to procedures, and ability to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements are extremely valuable assets in aviation maintenance, particularly in roles involving inspection, quality control, or certification.

TECHNICAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION

People with experience as technical trainers, educators, or instructors bring skills in curriculum development, training delivery, and student assessment to the aviation maintenance field. They can contribute to developing and delivering aviation maintenance training programs, ensuring that technicians receive comprehensive and effective training.

PROBLEM-SOLVING AND CRITICAL-THINKING SKILLS

Regardless of your previous career background, if you possess strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting skills, then you’re well-suited for aviation maintenance roles. These skills enable technicians to diagnose issues, develop effective solutions, and perform maintenance tasks efficiently and safely.

While these backgrounds and skills can facilitate the transition to becoming an aviation maintenance technician, there may be additional training, education, or certification needed to meet some specific requirements of the aviation industry. But by leveraging your existing experience and skills, you can look forward to a successful career path in aviation maintenance. If you’re ready to make your move, then start exploring the many current opportunities at MHIRJ: https://www.mhirj.com/en/careers

We recently began exploring the ever-rising demand for qualified aviation technicians that has been impacting our industry. With air travel seeing record numbers, we’re also seeing major shifts in key statistics around employment opportunities with airports, MROS, and OEMs. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the numbers and what they mean for those looking for long-term career in a field that’s showing no signs of slowing down.

While some industries have experienced mass layoffs, aviation and travel are back to pre-pandemic levels and growing. “Labour shortage in the aviation industry translates into parked aircraft and cancelled flights. Aviation relies on skilled aircraft technicians to keep aircraft flying and communities connected across the United States. We want to be part of the solution for the industry” says Ross Mitchell, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development at MHIRJ.

Before we dig a little deeper into the numbers, let’s recap what we already know based on recent reports.

Projections show that until 2030 there will be an estimated employment growth rate of 12% for mechanics and service technicians, and 10% for avionics technicians. This employment growth rate is actually projected to be 8% higher than the rest of the U.S. job market, meaning it opens the doors to new graduates who want a lasting career with plenty of opportunity, and is great news for experienced technicians who wish to continue advancing in the industry.

And although we’ve seen increased interest, an uptick of 2.2% in Aircraft Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) graduates, and 7,119 new mechanic certificates issued by the FAA last year, there will still be an average of 12,800 job openings per year until 2032 to make up for the 21% annual increase needed to support the commercial market. These numbers show that we still have a way to go to meet the demand as numbers continue to fall short of the pre-pandemic rates.

TAPPING INTO EQUAL AND AMPLE OPPORTUNITY

The aviation industry has long been known for being male-dominant. In fact, only 2.7% of aircraft mechanics are women, but this number has also started skewing higher. Women have equal opportunity in the field, so it’s important to support inclusivity and demonstrate that this is a solid career path for anyone who wishes to pursue it. In fact, an average of 48% of AMT students receive a job offer immediately upon graduation. This shows once again that the industry is powering ahead and job opportunities are abundant.

On the flip side, we also know that 40% of current aviation technicians could retire by 2030, and there is a vacancy rate of 27% for aircraft maintenance workers projected by 2027. This means that there is ample space for an entirely new generation to step in and be the future of the industry. And with options to fast-track education, get paid during training, and get hired immediately, there’s never been a better time to get started and to fill one of the 12,800 AMT job openings that are available each year.

A GROWING WORKFORCE

When we look at the big picture, we can see that 48,000 new technicians can join the workforce by 2027, making it clearly worthwhile to pursue education, start training, or transfer your skills. Be part of the industry that’s on the up.

“We need solutions like the Aviation WORKS Act to help fund training for maintenance technicians and make it more accessible for the next generation to kick start their careers in aviation,” Ross Mitchell says.

Stay tuned to WINGSPAN for more on the education and hiring process. Ready to make your move? Explore the current job openings at MHIRJ: https://mhirj.com/en/careers