PHOENIX — One metro Phoenix trade school is doing its part to address the nation’s severe shortage of aircraft mechanics.

According to the Aviation Technician Education Council, the shortage of aircraft mechanics is expected to grow to 20% by 2028.

The Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) is tackling the shortage by training the next generation of aviation professionals before they graduate high school.

How does Valley trade school address aviation technician shortage?

Jay McDowell, the center’s lead aviation instructor, said West-MEC tackles the issue by training high school juniors and seniors for jobs in this in-demand field.

“We have many students that work (at) Sky Harbor,” McDowell told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “We have people that work up at Grand Canyon, Deer Valley, Buckeye Airport, all over.”

Through West-MEC’s two-year aviation program, students gain hands-on experience and graduate ready to earn their FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic certificate.

Graduates are ready to step into Arizona’s aerospace industry and help meet the growing demand, McDowell said.

 

What’s causing the shortage of aircraft mechanics in the U.S.?

The aircraft mechanic shortage stems from pandemic-related disruptions and a surge in retirements within the industry.

“Our industry is in dire need of qualified, successful young men and women to fill the void for the people retiring,” McDowell said. “And through our program here at West-MEC, we provide them that.”

McDowell said his students learn how to build and fix landing gear, engines, wing structures and more on a variety of aircrafts.

Aspiring aviation technician explains how the certification works

One of those students is 18-year-old Justus Coleman, who completes the program in June 2026.

Coleman said having the opportunity to be certified in this career path at such a young age gives him a head up in the industry.

“By the time I’m 19, I’ll have my certificates,” Coleman told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “I’ll start a job really early, and, then, that’ll give me like a jump start in life, so I’ll be almost ahead of my peers.”

Currently he’s pursuing airframe and powerplant certificates, which cover two key parts of maintaining aircraft. His favorite part is working on the aircraft’s outer frame.

“We got to like create (what’s) called a spar,” Coleman said. “It’s just like part of the wing, but we get to start from scratch and so like we created the whole metal. We cut it out. We like riveted it. That took about a month, but it was like the most fun I’ve had.”

Students test for the FAA certificates after they graduate the aviation program.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.