Recruitment and retention Training and direct hire programs At AAR, we invest in the future of the aviation industry by actively helping to develop a skilled workforce through programs focused on veterans, high school graduates and individuals transitioning from the military, and providing opportunities to work for us. Some of our programs include: Embry-Riddle SkillBridge program Direct Hire Aviation Maintenance Education program After serving 4 years in the United States Marine Corps, I One of our main goals is to build a bridge between skilled military AAR initiated a direct hire program for high school graduates in decided to pursue a carrier in aviation. The Embry-Riddle veterans and successful careers in the aviation industry. As part of Indiana’s Decatur Township to help students gain real-world job SkillBridge Program allotted the opportunity to become an our partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), experience to fill the gaps in aviation for middle skills that do not aviation maintenance technician with AAR. I have been with the we have partnered on a SkillBridge program. The intensive nine- require a bachelor’s degree. AAR family since September 2020 and feel the program has week program trains veterans, transitioning military and eligible prepared me well for my future endeavors.” military spouses in aviation maintenance. Graduates receive an Modeled after our successful EAGLE Career Pathways Program, 18-credit hour Aviation Maintenance Certificate, a Boeing 737NG the Direct Hire Aviation Maintenance Education program allows Tracer Hickman General Familiarization certificate and one guaranteed interview students to train for an entry-level position as a Material Handler Technician III, A&P with industry partners, including AAR. We have hired 11 graduates and transition into an apprentice-level aircraft maintenance of the SkillBridge program since the program launched in 2019. technician. Certification can be acquired through Vincennes Although COVID-19 temporarily slowed the progress of this University or by working a minimum of 18 months as an AAR program, we look forward to building on the momentum and aircraft maintenance technician. success of the SkillBridge program in the years to come. After serving 4 years in the United States, Navy I decided to enter the Embry-Riddle SkillBridge program to help transition my AAPA ACCELerate! Apprenticeships program experience into a career in the aviation industry. I’ve now been at In March 2021, AAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding AAR since April 2021 and feel the program has trained me well (MOU) with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) for my current role as a support technician.” ACCELerate! Apprenticeships program. The goal of this specialized Mariah Passman program is to provide competency-based curriculums, on-the-job training, program development assistance and incentive funding Technician III, A&P to expand apprenticeship opportunities for careers within the transportation and maritime industries. 22