NEW CAREERS ARE TAKING FLIGHT AT MHIRJ

NEW CAREERS ARE TAKING FLIGHT AT MHIRJ

Academy, mhirj

As the industry need for skilled aviation technicians continues to grow, MHIRJ is being proactive and seizing the opportunity to invest in talent development by introducing the new MHIRJ Academy.
 

What better way to grow our team than to provide immersive in-house education? Through the MHIRJ Academy, we’ll be providing paid training to build a new generation of highly skilled structural technicians, creating a talent pipeline to counter the current low numbers of skilled sheet metal technicians in the labor workforce.

ADRESSING THE SKILLS GAP

The strategic decision to launch the Academy not only ensures a steady supply of skilled workers, but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and community among our employees. The Academy will train approximately 5 groups of 20 students, with the goal of training at least 100 new structural technicians at our Bridgeport, West Virginia Service Center by May 2025. This initiative not only addresses the immediate need for skilled workers but also lays the foundation for a sustainable workforce in the long term.

THE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

The MHIRJ Academy training program has been meticulously designed to equip students with the necessary skills to become structures technicians who will eventually work on airframe and structural repairs on aircraft. New recruits are welcomed from the local community of Harrison and Marion Counties, fostering local economic growth and securing high-paying, long-term career opportunities in aviation for those who qualify.

The training program consists of an 8-week curriculum, during which students are fully paid. Following this initial training period, students transition into apprenticeships until they obtain a repairman's certificate, a process that typically takes around two months. Leveraging the expertise of seasoned instructors with extensive repair experience, the MHIRJ Academy ensures that students receive top-notch training tailored to our customer’s specific needs.

“I feel fortunate to be brought in on this project from the ground up,” said Kenny Sinclair, Lead Instructor, MHIRJ Structures Technician Training Program. “I hope that I will teach someone something new that they will then pass down to someone else in the future. I'm looking forward to seeing the students use their new skills and develop them into a career in which there are many different opportunities to advance.”

A FULFILLING FUTURE IN AVIATION

Beyond being financially compensated for their 8 weeks of training, graduates of the Academy can look forward to fulfilling long-term employment with MHIRJ, and the opportunity to continue earning further certifications should they wish to do so.

We’re proud of our workforce and our community, and are excited to welcome hundreds of new members to our ever-growing team. In launching the MHIRJ Academy, we remain committed to investing in talent development and fostering a sustainable workforce in the communities where we operate. This helps ensure our own continued success, as well as contributing to the vitality and growth of the aerospace sector as a whole. As the first cohort of students embarks on their journey to earn their wings with us, they represent not just the future of MHIRJ but the future of aerospace innovation and excellence.

Interested in pursuing a new career path in aviation? Learn more about the Academy and explore current employment opportunities with us.

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