There was a first. There is Calibrate. As United Airlines seeks to shore up its next generation of aircraft technicians, it is investing in a new "earn and learn" program.
Two problems are on the way. The attrition rate will grow in the years ahead because many of its highly trained aircraft technicians are approaching retirement age. Hundreds of new aircraft will be added to the fleet. There will be more technicians needed to service those aircraft.
The in-house apprenticeship program called Calibrate will be used to train future AMTs. United hopes to train over 1,000 people at more than 10 locations by the end of the century.
Calibrate will provide immediate wages and benefits to attendees since they can do effective work immediately under the direction of their supervisors. The 36-month program will involve hands-on and classroom instruction with the end goal of certification via an A&P certificate, which will eliminate the need to attend a technical school.
It will be possible to apply for external applications.
It's a win-win for United and its unions. Future hires of union workers will enjoy union protection from the beginning and the union loves that. A steady stream of technicians is vital for the sustainment of United's fleet and future fleet.
Participants in the program will receive healthcare and travel benefits, as well as accruing vacation time and other benefits.
The military and trade schools will still be recruited by United, as will Calibrate.
The focus on diversity is the only controversial aspect of this program.
United is putting diversity at the core of its Calibrate program as the Supreme Court considers whether to strike down affirmative action.
At least half of the program's participants are women or people of color.
According to Kate Gebo, the Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations at United, less than 3% of licensed technicians are women.
The White House Infrastructure Pipeline Challenge encourages employers to createpathways to quality jobs for women, people of color, and underserved workers.
Gebo will be at the White House later today to unveil the new initiative.
A new initiative called Calibrate is being invested by United Airlines in order to train a new generation of employees. United is laying the groundwork to stay ahead of the curve as it faces a maturing workforce and hundreds of aircraft deliveries in the years to come. Over the next 10 years, United plans to hire 7,000 technicians.
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