Boeing India and AIESL Exchange MoU for AME Apprenticeship Programme
Aim to improve the employability of AMEs through training and experience with actual aircraft
New Delhi: In order to improve the employability of aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) through training and hands-on experience with actual aircraft, Boeing India and Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) exchanged a memorandum of understanding here at Bikaner House in New Delhi on August 1.
President Boeing India, Pratyush Kumar and CEO Air India Engineering Services Limited, H.R. Jagannath, exchanged the MoU in presence of the Union minister for civil aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju, minister of state for civil aviation, Jayant Sinha, president of Boeing International Marc Allen, and others present on the occasion.
For this accelerated apprenticeship programme, students passing out from directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA)-approved AME institutes and having passed paper 1 and paper 2 or equivalent modules conducted by DGCA, will be eligible to apply. The program will consist of one year of theory and practical learning in a smart-classroom environment, including select CAR66 modules. Apprentices will also receive advanced training aids, supplemented by performing specific tasks on Boeing aircraft, to help strengthen the theoretical concepts learned in the classroom.
The first class will commence at the AIESL Mumbai facility in November 2017. At the end of the Program, successful candidates will receive a certificate from AIESL. They will also receive coaching on job interview skills.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, civil aviation minister, Ashok Gajapathi Raju said, “Skilled manpower is essential to the growth of India’s aviation sector. Ministry of civil aviation is improving the skill ecosystem through standard apprenticeship for aircraft maintenance engineers prepared after active participation from industry in order to ensure steady supply of trained and industry-ready AMEs.”
President Boeing International, Marc Allen said, “Considering employability is often related to the quality of skills, we are happy to help Air India with their endeavor to enhance the skills of students aspiring to join this fast-growing industry.” He also congratulated ministry of civil aviation and Air India for their ‘vision and leadership in taking proactive steps to develop a skilled aviation workforce’.
Pertinently, ministry of civil aviation is launching four inter-related initiatives to strengthen aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) employability. These include upgrading training infrastructure, tracking system for skill development, facilitating degrees for AMEs, and standardising AME apprenticeship.