As air travel disruptions become more frequent and recent safety incidents make headlines, experts and lawmakers are raising alarms about a growing shortage of skilled aircraft maintenance technicians.
Industry leaders are urging for increased support to address this critical issue. Many of the delays and gate changes at airports are tied to urgent aircraft maintenance needs. Additionally, President Donald Trump has pushed for education reform, an agenda that aligns with the goals of the aviation sector. Experts say improving government efficiency and training programs for maintenance workers are key to solving the issue.
In the last session of Congress, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Aviation Workforce Development Act. The bill aimed to expand the federal “529” tuition program to include aviation maintenance and piloting training. While the bill did not pass, Scott remains determined to bring it forward again. “The extensive and expensive training required has limited access to this important industry,” he said.
Growing Demand for Skilled Workers
Jason Pfaff, president of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, one of the country’s largest aircraft maintenance training programs, stressed the need for more skilled professionals in the industry. His organization runs 15 campuses nationwide and works to meet the demand for 13,000 aviation maintenance jobs each year.
“The aviation industry depends on skilled professionals to keep planes safe, yet many people are unaware of the high demand for these roles,” Pfaff said.
Recent high-profile aviation accidents, including a fatal crash near Hain’s Point in Washington, D.C., and a jet flipping over during landing in Toronto, have highlighted the critical role of maintenance technicians. Pfaff emphasized that the safety of air travel is directly linked to the expertise of aircraft maintenance workers.
“Maintenance is not just a job—it’s a high-paying, high-skill career that supports global transportation,” he said. Some workers in the field earn up to $150,000 a year by their late 20s, yet the industry still faces a shortage of technicians.
Shift Towards Technical Careers
Jose-Marie Griffiths, president of Dakota State University in South Dakota, argued that higher education needs to be more flexible and responsive to the demands of the job market. “Universities must adjust to meet students’ needs at different stages in their careers,” Griffiths said.
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) introduced a proposal in the House that mirrors Scott’s initiative. The proposal suggests a $1 million grant program to raise awareness about aviation maintenance careers and technical education. Miller believes that not every student needs a four-year degree to have a successful career. “Career and technical education should be celebrated, not dismissed,” he said.
Despite efforts to promote technical education, pressure still exists nationwide for students to pursue traditional four-year college degrees. However, lawmakers continue to stress the importance of diversifying career paths to meet the country’s growing need for skilled workers in fields like aviation maintenance.
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