The Liepāja State Technical School was approached by airBalticTraining pilot academy with an idea of a joint vocational training program to address the lack of aircraft mechanics in the aviation sector. A completely new and only modular training program “Aircraft mechanics” has been developed in Latvia. The first nine students have graduated and are employed at Rīga and Liepāja airports.
CEO of the “airBalticTraining” Pilot Academy Kristaps Lapsa said that the results of the qualification exams had been good. Five graduates work under airBaltic, two in Liepāja at the pilot academy.
"This spectrum is very widely planned. The first group was high school graduates who only obtained professional knowledge. The program lasted 18 months. In September 2021, we enrolled students after grade 9. Consequently, it will be a four-year program where they acquire not only professional knowledge but also secondary education,” said Lapsa.
Daina Priede, mentor and teacher in the program, said: “This is the first program developed by Liepaja State Technical School on the order of airBaltic. Together with airBaltic and air BalticTraining specialists, we have developed these modules, from the basis of aerodynamics to the maintenance of aircraft systems.”
Training of aircraft mechanics for the aviation industry will continue. The school principal Agris Ruperts emphasized that aircraft mechanics will be prepared both after the end of primary and secondary school. Demand in the sector is booming and it is planned to enroll 15 high school graduates and 25 students after year 9 in 2022.
