AAR partnership with WMU boosts aviation maintenance instruction, experience

KALAMAZOO, Michigan, October 26, 2018 – Western Michigan University's new partnership with AAR, a global provider of aviation services, is expected to enhance instruction for students studying to become aircraft maintenance technicians, providing real-life work experience and an opportunity to be hired upon graduation.

The newly launched AAR Eagle Career Pathway Program at WMU will expand the University's aircraft maintenance, repair and operating supply instruction, and include job shadowing and mentoring opportunities, as well as the sharing of proprietary software information with students interested in careers as aircraft maintenance technicians. Under this first-of-its-kind program for aviation maintenance, students will receive academic support, be monitored throughout their academic careers and have an opportunity to interview with AAR after graduation.

Dr. Raymond Thompson, WMU associate dean of the College of Aviation, joined Ryan Goertzen, AAR vice president of maintenance workforce development, to announce the partnership October 26 at the University's Aviation Education Center in Battle Creek.

"AAR is taking a leadership role in providing career pathways and guidance for those interested in pursuing a career in large aircraft maintenance," Thompson says. "The technician shortage is real and growing worse. Partnering with AAR provides the College of Aviation opportunity to attract a diverse group of youth into aviation maintenance, a well-paying and growing industry."

Thompson adds that AAR Eagle further distinguishes WMU's already competitive aviation program with yet another resource for students pursuing a career in a high-demand field. It also works to help close the gap between the supply of mechanics and demand for them projected within the next decade that threatens the expansion and modernization of the global airline fleet.

"AAR EAGLE is about growing the maintenance technician talent pipeline and educating high school students on the exciting opportunities available to them in aviation maintenance," says Brian Sartain, AAR senior vice president of repair and engineering services. "Working alongside universities and colleges, like Western Michigan, we will provide a five-year career path program with access to the largest maintenance repair and overhaul network of facilities in the Americas. Our efforts will help address the industrywide shortage of technicians as well as guarantee high-paying jobs to participants in the program."

For more program information, contact Thompson at raymond.thompson@wmich.edu or (269) 964-8020, or Goertzen at ryan.goertzen@aarcorp.com or (918) 576-9981.

About AAR
AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial aviation and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s Aviation Services include inventory management; parts supply; OEM parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering services and component repair. AAR’s Expeditionary Services include airlift operations; mobility systems; and command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

Media contact: Daniela Pietsch, Vice President Corporate Marketing & Communications, at editor@aarcorp.com or +1 630-227-5100. 

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled “Risk Factors”, included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company’s control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.