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South Korean aviation maintenance students now have an option to study abroad and gain both domestic and FAA licensing thanks to a new educational partnership between U.S. Aviation Academy and Korea Aerospace University.
The schools have launched a training course that will enable Korea Aerospace University (KAU) students to simultaneously prepare to test for aircraft maintenance engineer licenses from both the FAA and the Korea Office of Civil Aviation. U.S. Aviation Academy (USAA) CFO Justin Sykes says the program will be the first FAA aircraft maintenance technician program outside the U.S. Aviation Week Network has reached out to the FAA for confirmation.
The one-year program includes six months of training at KAU and then six months at USAA, located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Students will first focus on theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical training in airframe structures, powerplant systems and FAA regulations at KAU before undergoing advanced practical training at USAA focused on real-world application.
To prepare for the course, KAU has installed FAA training equipment and introduced a new Learjet aircraft at its on-campus hangar. The school also plans to incorporate virtual and augmented reality-based training in the future.
The course follows a mutual agreement signed by USAA and KAU in 2022. USAA also offers a flight school for South Korean students in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The school operates 12 U.S. campuses and maintains a fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
According to USAA, successful participants will have access to internship and employment opportunities in countries such as the U.S., Japan and Singapore.
Several Asian countries have recently boosted efforts to recruit qualified international MRO talent. Hong Kong approved a change that allows foreign skilled trade professionals to apply for certain jobs experiencing shortages, such as aircraft maintenance technicians. Japan has created a similar visa program that allows foreign nationals to work in aviation maintenance jobs there.
Industry companies are also increasing dual-study, international training programs to improve MRO workforce skills and pipeline.
Late in 2024, British Airways partnered with the Aviation Institute of Maintenance to recruit American students for a five-year training program where they will undergo on-the-job training at some of the airline’s UK bases and U.S. stations.
In summer 2024, French MRO and training provider Vallair partnered with the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority to develop bilateral student exchange and collaborative training programs.
Sanad offers a 12-month Future Leadership Program where it sends selected students to business schools in Europe.
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