Bombardier and CAE revamp technician type training

Bombardier has collaborated with CAE, its Authorized Training Provider (ATP), to develop a new maintenance technician training program designed to bolster company expertise and scheduling flexibility while improving employee retention. 

The new Modular Maintenance Training Program revamps the traditional format of aircraft type training. Instead of attending three to four weeks of offsite training as they learn all about Bombardier aircraft, technicians will train in one-week instalments focused on specific components – avionics or hydraulics/landing gear/flight controls, for example.  

Another key difference? The trainer will travel to the technicians, allowing Bombardier service centres to avoid scheduling difficulties that could arise when a technician is away for extended training. As for the employee, they can complete their training without disrupting their home life.  

The program’s testing phase was launched in late October at Bombardier’s Tucson Service Centre – one of three initial pilot locations in addition to Wichita, Kansas and Miami-Opa Locka, Florida. It is open to Bombardier’s existing North American shop technicians holding an FAA AMP licence and some experience on business aircraft or modern turbojets. In its first year, the Modular Maintenance Training Program aims to reach 50 per cent of Bombardier’s North American technician workforce – or about 1,100 employees. 

Bombardier’s Modular Maintenance Training Program is part of the company’s larger overall strategy to find and retain qualified talent.  

According to CAE’s 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast, the worldwide business aviation sector will require 74,000 new maintenance technicians by 2032, including 48,000 in North America alone.