New designation creates powerful workforce development pathway for AEA member companies seeking to attract, train and retain the next generation of aviation maintenance talent.
LEE'S SUMMIT, MISSOURI, April 16, 2026 – The Aircraft Electronics Association, in partnership with Fastport, has been recognized by the United States Department of Labor as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor, marking a major milestone in the association’s commitment to workforce development and the long-term success of aviation maintenance organizations across the country.
This designation authorizes AEA/Fastport to sponsor federally recognized apprenticeship programs that help employers build structured, high-quality career pathways for new and emerging avionics talent. As a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor, the AEA can now support member companies with a proven workforce model that combines paid on-the-job learning, related technical instruction, progressive wage advancement and industry-recognized credentials, while potentially leading to financial incentives for repair stations and avionics technicians.
For AEA member companies, the program offers a practical solution to one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: attracting and retaining skilled talent in avionics and aviation maintenance. Registered Apprenticeship programs provide employers with a framework to develop employees from the ground up while strengthening retention, improving consistency in training and creating a clear pathway for career growth. The program supports both immediate hiring demands and long-term succession planning for aviation maintenance organizations.
“For our member companies, this is more than a training program. It is a workforce strategy,” said Mike Adamson, AEA president and chief executive officer. “Registered Apprenticeship gives our members a practical way to attract new talent, transfer knowledge, develop skills with intention, and retain employees by showing them a clear path to a rewarding career.”
Apprentices receive paid employment, hands-on experience, structured training and incremental wage increases as they build skills and demonstrate competency. Upon completion, participants earn a nationally recognized credential that validates their experience and supports long-term career advancement.
"The apprenticeship program provides a competency-based training plan that aligns on-the-job learning with the technical knowledge requirements of the AEA's Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) certification," said Nick Brown, AEA director of workforce development. "Repair stations can customize the program to fit their operational needs while meeting national apprenticeship standards."
The new designation reinforces the AEA’s ongoing role as a leader and advocate for the avionics industry. By serving as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor, the association is expanding the tools and resources available to its members and helping them respond to workforce shortages with a scalable, practical and employer-centered solution.
Through this initiative, the AEA and Fastport will work with participating employers to support apprenticeship program development, implementation and long-term success. The goal is to make it easier for aviation maintenance organizations to adopt a workforce model that not only fills open positions, but also builds stronger, more resilient organizations for the future and could lead to repair stations increasing their financial compensation to apprentices.
“This recognition from the U.S. Department of Labor is an important step forward for our association and our members,” Adamson said. “It reflects the growing importance of apprenticeship as a workforce strategy and underscores our commitment to helping aviation maintenance businesses compete, grow and thrive.”
AEA member companies should contact Nick Brown at 816-366-5102 or nickb@aea.net. to learn more about the AEA/Fastport Registered Apprenticeship program.
About Fastport
The U.S. Department of Labor named Fastport as an industry intermediary to support and provide technical assistance to develop Registered Apprenticeship programs in the United States across all industries. Since 2016, Fastport has secured candidates in over 28,000 Registered Apprenticeship positions and created programs with over 200 employers and organizations. In the transportation sector, over 50% of new apprentices now enter the field through Fastport's network.
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Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.