Airlines

United Airlines launching apprenticeship program

Calibrate is a 36-month program that allows participants to “earn and learn”.

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The launch of Calibrate, an internal apprenticeship programme, by United Airlines today will help expand and diversify its pool of aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs). The inaugural class will begin training next week in Houston as the airline plans to train more than 1,000 people at about a dozen locations by 2026, with the objective that at least half of them will be women or people of colour.

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Calibrate is a 36-month programme that allows participants to “earn and learn” by receiving compensation while undergoing full-time certification and training. Participants avoid paying the up to $50,000 cost of attending a technical school because they are paid while they learn.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United, and the Federal Aviation Administration created the apprenticeship programme to speed up the process of becoming a United AMT and expand the airline’s pool of facility technicians and mechanics.

The second cohort of Calibrate apprentices is anticipated to begin in early 2023, also in Houston, and to spread to more than a dozen additional locations, including San Francisco and Orlando.

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At the top of their pay scale, United’s approximately 9,000 highly qualified and certified aircraft maintenance technicians receive combined wages and benefits of more than $140,000. The airline actively seeks out candidates from trade schools and the military for these highly skilled positions, and United offers entry-level positions as a path to a career in these fields. Many United executives began their careers as mechanics, including the present Vice President of Line Maintenance.

United is on track to hire more than 15,000 new team members systemwide and expects to hire over 15,000 new employees in 2023, including 7,000 maintenance technicians by 2026. This year alone, United has hired over 800 maintenance technicians and expects to hire 2,000 in 2023.

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.