By John Willis, MIAT College  of Technology Houston Campus President

Every time one of us boards an aircraft in the United States, we can be assured that  FAA-certified aviation maintenance technicians have completed an extensive series of essential checks and repairs required for safe and effective operations of that aircraft. That said, travelers don’t give much thought to the extensive “behind the scenes” work involved in getting us airborne and then back on the ground.  For United Airlines at Bush Intercontinental Airport alone, more than 300 aviation maintenance team members are employed day and night

United  Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Boeing and the aviation industry as a whole are experiencing a major shortage of qualified Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) maintenance technicians. Demand continues to be greater than supply, and competition among employers can be fierce.  Faculty and staff of MIAT College of Technology’s campuses in Houston and in Canton near Detroit, Michigan, are working closely with airline industry representatives, high schools, military veterans, and community leaders to assist in filling this gap as quickly as possible.

Interest in MIAT’s aviation maintenance programs is the major contributor to the rapid growth in student in enrollment at the Houston campus – which is approaching 400, up from 48 students in 2015. Approximately 60 percent of MIAT’s Houston students this year are enrolled in either the 20-month aviation maintenance certificate program or the 24-month aviation maintenance program that yields an associate’s degree in Applied Sciences.  Employment opportunities for these careers remain high. (more…)