COMPLETIONS T A LENT
“We see school districts
coming together to
create a consortium of
kids who are interested
in these career tracks”
Ross of Flying Colours sees the Canadian government acting to
build a strong base of artisans again. “The ministry is looking to
employers to define a syllabus that would fill that gap,” he says. “It’s up
to the educational system to promote those programmes and training
with the expectation that there is full-time employment at the end of
those courses of study. The timing is good in that way. At least now,
we’ve reached the point of recognising that there is a problem.”
Constant Aviation’s DiCello believes that the situation is turning
around in the USA as well, with communities building the foundations
needed to train future craftspeople. “We’re reaching a balance, but right
now we’re dealing with the circumstances,” he comments. “I think that
the conversation has changed where people recognise that they can have
a nice living working with their hands – the conversation is open again.
We haven’t caught up yet with those people entering the workforce now,
but we see school districts coming together to create a consortium
of kids who are interested in these career tracks. We do have those
programmes and they are strengthening as schools begin to recognise
that they have to work together.”
Taking the long view is vital to ensure the ongoing health of the
VIP aircraft completions industry.
businessjetinteriorsinternational.com
040 JULY 2019
CONSTANT AVIATION SAYS
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
EMPLOYEES TO PROGRESS IS VERY
IMPORTANT FOR RETENTION
VIP and business
aircraft completion
centres can post
interior-related
positions at no cost
on our website
HEALTHY
DEMAND
The completion centres that contributed to this article say
the skills shortage hasn’t materially affected their business
or growth plans. Flying Colours is currently expanding its
headquarters in Peterborough, Canada, with a fourth hangar to
handle large jet completion, refurbishment and maintenance.
It expects to fill more than 50 new positions – in its paint,
avionics, maintenance, interiors, cabin installation and
upholstery departments – by mid-2019.
Flying Colours is confident this will not be a problem, having
already staffed expansions at its other facilities. The company
recently added its fifth hangar in St Louis, Missouri, and renewed
its contract to provide interiors support at Bombardier’s service
centre at Seletar Airport in Singapore.
Constant Aviation has also successfully staffed its facilities
in Cleveland, Ohio; Orlando, Florida; Mesa, Arizona; and Las
Vegas, Nevada. Where necessary, the company has
re-assigned people from its headquarters to
ensure the quality of craftsmanship is uniform
throughout the organisation. It says this
approach helps with employee retention
because it creates upward mobility.
Meanwhile, Ron Soret says
Aeria’s location in San Antonio,
Texas, has been a huge advantage,
enabling it to recruit artisans
who trained for decades with the
former Dee Howard Company.
/businessjetinteriorsinternational.com
