Workforce Development Partnership Expands To Meet Demand

Hawaiian Airlines and Honolulu Community College announced an expansion of their workforce development program with their launch of the Maintenance Technician Development Program (MTDP), a new initiative they intend to train the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians.

According to the CAE’s 2025 Aviation Talent Forecast, 416,000 new aviation maintenance technicians will be needed globally by 2034. This projection is what spurred Hawaiian and Honolulu CC to establish the MTDP.

Students currently enrolled in Hololulu CC’s Aeronautics Maintenance Technology Program (AERO) who are accepted into the MTDP will receive a $10,500 stipend and up to $1,800 reimbursement for airframe and powerplant certificate exam fees.

Along the way, those students will benefit from the mentorship to be provided by Hawaiian Airlines mechanics, and those who graduate from the program will receive a contingent job offer with the airline.

The new program adds onto the competitive Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship Program (AMAP) launched in 2016 by Honolulu CC and Hawaiian. It gives students hands-on experience in the airline’s maintenance hangar while taking classes simultaneously. Currently, the airline employs about 750 mechanics including over 50 from the AMAP program.

Diego Serrano is an AERO student who will graduate in May. He said, “When I saw this opportunity come up, I was like, this could really help me a lot and I could really use this and it can really benefit me greatly.”

Another AERO student, Neil Patrick Nuevo, added, “I work two jobs and go to school at the same time so it’ll be really helpful, just so I don’t have to worry much about working the other jobs and focus more on school.”

Beau Tatsumura, Managing Director of Internation and Heavy Maintenance for Hawaiian and Alaskan Airlines said, “We are excited to create more local jobs to support our growing operations across Hawai?i and beyond as we expand our global reach with Alaska Airlines. We are grateful to build on our longstanding partnership with Honolulu Community College to support Hawaiian students interested in becoming aviation maintenance technicians and considering a career with Hawaiian Airlines right here in the islands.”

FMI: www.hawaiianairlines.com/