CAE launched a new Master Technician Program dedicated to two distinct learning tracks—specialist and people—this week at NBAA-BACE. The new program, which builds on CAE’s previous Master Technician program, addresses the need for independent certification of technical and leadership skills as the industry faces unprecedented demand for aircraft mechanics.
CAE’s 2023 aviation talent forecast predicts a need for 402,000 new maintenance technicians industrywide over the next 10 years, of which business aviation will require 74,000.
“The CAE Master Technician Program gives technicians two structured paths to build their skills and advance along a career path, recognizing competency development, not just aircraft-specific training events to bring them closer to their ideal career,” said Alexandre Prevost, CAE’s business aviation and helicopter training division president. “As a large proportion of the existing aircraft maintenance technician population approaches retirement age, the Master Technician Program addresses the challenge of developing the next generation of professionals and ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed to keep the industry flying safely.”
The new program affords trainees access to an array of skill enhancement and training. Covering three levels of achievement—Certified, Advanced, and Master—trainees can reach Master Technician status in less time than in CAE's previous maintenance technician career development programs, its said.