By TTA Blog
Finding skilled, dedicated workers is critical to the success of any business. But nowhere is it more crucial than in the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry, which directly impacts the safety of aircraft, air crew, and passengers.
Right now, the MRO job market – people looking for great jobs and the companies seeking to employ them – is absolutely booming. In March 2022, leading aviation-job website JSfirm.com reported a record number of aviation positions posted, noting that “companies are scrambling and competing with each other to attract and retain qualified candidates.” In fact, JSfirm is experiencing a 30 percent increase in job postings compared to pre-pandemic numbers.
Most in demand are pilots, A&P/IAs, sheet metal technicians, avionics, engineering, flight instructors, dispatchers, line service, managers and sales/business development positions. Every company is different and has varying needs and a different corporate culture. Job seekers clearly desire to make not just a good match with an employer, but a great one. They want to work for a reputable aviation company that values its employees, provides a positive, safe work environment, appreciates their skill sets and dedication, and compensates them fairly.
Thrust Tech Wants You
One positive way to make all that happen? Right now, skilled MRO industry or technical workers have a great opportunity for employment with Thrust Tech Accessories (TTA) an FAA 145 repair station/EAA certified provider of repair services located near Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) in South Florida. With a solid reputation built over 30 years, TTA is in a growth mode. It’s building its inventory, expanding its services to clients, and seeking the “best of the best” in skilled, experienced MRO and technical employees.
“We have outstanding opportunities for people to find the right fit and create a long-term future for their personal and career growth with our company,” says Stanley Kowlessar, TTA’s president and general manager. “We’re seeking experienced MRO industry and technical employees. TTA is seeking people with the right skill sets, experience, and ratings who can hit the ground running in providing top-notch service and high-quality maintenance work for our clients.” TTA supports a number of private- and business-jet operators and regional airlines across the U.S., along with overseas air carriers and rotorcraft operators around the globe.
As a modestly sized MRO with a growing client base, TTA strongly values each of its employee team members. They’re not just “a corporate number” as they might be in some larger companies. “Even during the past two years, TTA was able to retain our team members, allowing them to support their families during those hard times with stability and great benefits,” he says. During the pandemic, the company actually increased its parts inventory, hired more employees, and pushed forward on its growth path.
Focus on Making The Right Fit
Certainly, retaining staff is critical for all aviation MRO companies right now. “So, it says a lot about TTA to look at the number of long-time/veteran employees we have,” says Kowlessar, “some of whom have been with the company for 30-plus years – so we must be doing something right!” Consolidations within the aviation industry the past two years also have had the positive impact of helping Thrust Tech increase its talent pool.
In making “the right fit,” though, it’s important for job seekers to consider the big picture – the right combination of good take home pay and valuable employee benefits too. In other words, potential employees should evaluate the “hidden paycheck” or the accumulated total of everything a company provides to benefit the employee and his or her family. It all adds up to a good employment choice.
TTA plans to bring on several new technicians and other staff by the end of 2022 to help us meet the growing demand for their services – driven in great part by the rapid growth in popularity of small private and corporate aircraft in the marketplace.
TTA as a Career Destination
“We want Thrust Tech to be a career destination for skilled aviation technicians, not only for the long-term earning potential but schedule, quality of life and an excellent work environment,” says Kowlessar.
“We think of the technician as an individual, not a number,” he added.
Growth potential also is important for most job seekers, and we couldn’t agree more. As an internal goal, TTA strives to create an internal culture that makes each experienced team member feel important as contributors to the company’s success, and to help them build on their skills and create a rewarding career with the company. “We have a strong commitment to training our existing employees and adding new skill sets and growth opportunities for them,” he notes.
In addition, TTA is currently promoting an employee-referral campaign that offers a monetary reward to current team members who refer a new job candidate. They’re rewarded for that, and also receive a second monetary perk when that newly hired employee reaches the six-month mark. “Our goal is to reward our existing team members and also to bring in new workers who fit our corporate culture, have the right skill sets and experience, and a strong desire to create a career path within our organization,” says Kowlessar.
Critical to Keep the Pipeline Flowing
TTA is currently hiring only highly skilled, experienced MRO industry team members, at the same time, it also recognizes that the aviation industry as a whole must continue to focus on recruiting, training, and attracting new MRO workers. “It’s critical to keep the pipeline of talent flowing for the aviation industry’s future,” Kowlessar notes.
Right now, TTA has job openings for experienced pneumatics technicians, hydraulic technicians, exciters technicians, and lead inspectors. The most attractive candidate is a stable, seasoned MRO industry or technical employee who is seeking a career move to a professional workplace that offers good benefits and compensation as well as the potential for upward mobility. Those who fit the bill are encouraged to reach out to TTA and send an email with any questions to snkowlessar@thrusttech.com.
“We’re building a legacy for the long haul,” says Kowlessar, who emphasizes that “having the right team is critical in our mission to provide superior client service. We strive to meet – and exceed when possible – all the required MRO service needs for our aviation clients, while maintaining the highest quality standards, all at competitive prices.”
