United Targets Army Reservists, Students for Maintenance Job Training

The airline is partnering with the U.S. Army Reserve Aviation Command, as well as the National Aviation Academy, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, to train up to 300 students per year through a new Calibrate Technician Pathway Program. As part of its military recruitment partnership with the aviation command, the airline also plans to host career fairs and provide guidance to reservists about airframe and powerplant certification programs, which the airline said would also support hiring goals for technicians of ground service equipment and facilities.

United, which expects to take delivery of 800 new aircraft by 2032, has its eye on maintenance,  hiring more than 3,200 technicians in the past 18 months.

"Investments in new aircraft and facilities require that we also increase our pipeline of maintenance technicians that will ensure our expansive fleet, facilities, and equipment are safely and efficiently maintained," Simone Drakes, managing director of Calibrate at United, said in a statement. "Launching this new program alongside highly regarded institutions whose high-quality training and aviation education will help us to reach our United Next and maintenance technician hiring goals."

The Calibrate Technician Pathway Program is separate from the airline's apprenticeship program, which pays students while they receive on-the-job training and obtain certifications. Under the pathway program, applicants must be fully certified. After completing all necessary certifications, Army reservists and students will be invited to apply and interview at United's Tech Ops Recruiting Center in Houston. 

"Participants will have priority screening consideration and benefit from United's large ecosystem, including access to mentorship opportunities with seasoned maintenance technicians and its 42 domestic technical operations stations," United said.

Once accepted into the program, students must maintain a high grade-point average and attendance record to stay in consideration for hiring after graduation.