The Military Affairs Council of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Savannah Technical College (STC) was awarded $59,525 in grant funding through the Defense Community Economic Development Fund to support expanded curriculum and to cover the cost of certification testing for military aviation mechanics. The fund is administered by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Office of Workforce Development.
 
“Savannah Technical College delivers exceptional training for its military students,” said Savannah Chamber President/CEO Bill Hubbard. “This grant will expand opportunities for military aviation mechanics to seamlessly transition to the civilian workforce.”
 
Military aircraft maintainers have the work experience and training, but often lack the certifications required to work in the civilian sector. The College offers an accelerated advanced Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) training program for those students with 30 documented, consecutive months of A&P work and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approval/sign-off of that work experience.
 
This funding allows for the expansion of training to prepare military members to earn the FAA Mechanic’s Certificate with A&P rating beginning in Summer 2019.
 
A&P Certification requires written, oral, and practical examinations. By expanding the Advanced Aviation Maintenance Certificate and covering the cost of testing, this grant will offer a cost-free pathway with flexible scheduling that limits the operational impact to military units and the financial impact for service members. This expansion will train an additional 45 military-affiliated students annually.
 
“We take great pride in serving our military and being responsive to our community and industry partners,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love. “We developed this fast track so that those with aviation mechanic experience can earn their FAA certifications they need without completing what would normally be a two-year program of study. With the ever-increasing need for A&P mechanics, graduates can count on a lucrative career in the aviation industry.”
 
Other community partners included in this grant application include: Military Aviation Units within the Savannah area with assigned mechanics (Active Army, Coast Guard, Georgia Air National Guard, Georgia Army National Guard; Army Career & Alumni Program (ACAP, Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield);  Comcast Internet Essentials; STC Foundation, along with industries in the Savannah area committed to hiring transitioning service members with FAA A&P Certification like Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and Delta Airlines.
 
“As a company that relies heavily on recruiting highly skilled A&P mechanics and celebrates a workforce of thousands of veterans, this is very welcoming news,” said Amy Ariano, vice president of Human Resources, Gulfstream. “For many years, our highly collaborative partnership with Savannah Technical College has allowed us to recruit highly trained and skilled A&P mechanics. As the industry demand for A&P mechanics becomes even greater, this grant will help provide streamlined transition training for our servicemen and women looking to continue their career in aviation as a civilian — helping to fulfill a critical need for A&P mechanics in the aviation industry.”
 
Certified aircraft mechanics are in high demand throughout the nation with a 5% increase in job openings between 2016 and 2026. In Georgia, however, that increase is projected to be 12%. With a median income of over $60,000 per year, completers of this program who have the highly-sought-after FAA A&P certification as well as the work ethic and soft skills will seamlessly transition into the civilian aviation workforce.