Copa Airlines Academy Graduates 40 Panamanian Aeronautical Maintenance Technicians
Copa Airlines‘ Aeronautical Maintenance Technicians Academy (ATA) held a graduation ceremony for 40 Panamanian aeronautical maintenance technicians who completed their training in the last twelve months and are now working at the airline’s Maintenance Center at Tocumen International Airport. Of this group, 24 also received a special certificate of completion of their training as structural technicians. With this special certification, the technicians focus on the identification and solution of problems related to the structure of an aircraft, in components such as the fuselage, wings, tail, among others.
“ATA promotes the professional development of young Panamanians with the talent to become aeronautical technicians, who do not have the resources to afford the career and certifications required in the industry. At Copa Airlines, we are convinced that education is the foundation for the progress of our society, and programs like ATA strengthen the aviation industry in Panama, while generating more job opportunities for our young people,” said Rafael Samudio, vice president of technical operations for Copa Airlines.
ATA has been instrumental in the development of trained personnel to perform maintenance and inspection work on Copa Airlines aircraft. In the past, much of this work was performed overseas. Currently, 90% of these activities are performed at the airline’s Maintenance Center, located at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.
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The academy is currently in the process of forming 5 groups with a total of 107 students, 10% of whom are women. It is estimated to start in the coming months 2 additional groups with 48 students. The registration period will be open from October, through copa.com in the “Work with us” section.
Those interested in applying to the program must have a high school diploma, recognized by the Ministry of Education. It is desirable that they are graduates of a Professional Technical (Vocational) College, with a degree in any career in the technical area, such as Electromechanics, Electricity, Electronics, General Mechanics or Automotive Mechanics.
In addition to encouraging the participation of young graduates from different technical careers, ATA offers growth opportunities for company employees who wish to apply and train in this program.
Young students and Copa Airlines employees who enter the academy receive scholarships from the Copa Airlines Despega Foundation, which provide a monthly financial contribution of US$350. In addition, the airline covers all transportation, insurance, uniforms and materials associated with their training, in addition to the course itself, which is provided at no cost to the student.
Currently, Copa Airlines has more than 700 technical professionals in the Maintenance Center. By 2024, the airline plans to hire more than 90 new technicians, most of whom will be graduates of the Academy of Aeronautical Maintenance Technicians (ATA), reaffirming the company’s commitment to the training and development of young Panamanian talent to support the growth of the airline and the aviation industry in the country.
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