AMT_June-July_2021 - 30

MRO FEATURE
West Star developed and implemented a new
Learning Management System (LMS) and equipped
technicians with iPads to help them complete virtual
maintenance training provided by industry partners
and in-house technical experts. " The result is a technical
team that is always up-to-date with requirements
from valued customers, partners and vendors, "
noted Rankin.
West Star captured technical experts performing
certain tasks to create a video training library for
newer technicians to reference. The effort speeds their
development and professional expertise. " Technicians
can stay at the aircraft and order parts, check out
maintenance manuals and review and update their
training with the new system, " Rankin explained.
West Star Aviation
expanded second
shifts at four fullservice
locations
to improve overall
efficiency and turn
times after managers
found the move could
reduce return times
over 30 percent.
WEST STAR AVIATION
Apprenticeships Address
the Labor Shortage
Boeing's Pilot & Technician Outlook 2019-2038
revealed a need for 193,000 aircraft maintenance
technicians by 2038 in the U.S. alone. The report
predicted a greater need in the Asia-Pacific region,
which will require 266,000 new technicians. Other
countries will face similar constraints: Europe will
need 137,000 technicians, the Middle East 69,000,
Latin America 52,000, Africa 27,000 and Russia/
Central Asia 25,000.
West Star Aviation identified the potential shortage
a while ago, training its focus first on keeping the
folks it has, then on attracting new people to the fold.
West Star is winning on the retention front. The
company employs 1,500 people and some have stayed
with the MRO for 20 to 40 years. " Our existing employees
are a huge source of strength. We work hard to
create a collegial, team-type environment, where
people feel valued and that they are contributing to
a larger cause, " Rankin said.
He believes paying employees well and providing
the right kind of support boosts retention. The
company offers opportunities all over the globe and
partners with employees to keep them growing in
their careers. It even helps spouses and children settle
in when moving to a new location.
" I like to say very few customers come to West
Star because Jim Rankin works here, but they come
in droves for the folks working on their airplanes, "
he said. " The best way I can support the customer is
making sure our employees have the proper tooling,
training, opportunities and support. "
The company also places a high value on attracting
new workers through apprenticeship programs.
West Star offers apprenticeship programs that start
as students work to get their A&P. The company also
offers apprenticeship programs for employees hired
without their A&P. These students use the apprenticeship
to master needed skills on the job before taking
FAA certification tests.
" We conduct outreach through job fairs and traditional
channels, but we also have very extensive
involvement in apprenticeship programs so we can
30 JUNE/JULY 2021
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
AMT_June-July_2021

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