United Airlines announced it is expanding its apprenticeship program to assist in developing both aircraft mechanics and technicians. The airline is looking to open this leg of the program in Houston, Texas, one of the airline's major hubs. The program, nicknamed Calibrate, will look to train at least 1,000 new maintenance apprentices over the next three years.

Managing director, Simone Drakes, spoke about this program, saying,

"Calibrate has an emphasis in going into the environment, going to the middle schools, going to the high schools. People emulate what they see."

Major maintenance hub

This program will begin in United Airlines-owned Hangar X, a major maintenance hangar located in the corner of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. This hangar is where United Airlines keeps jets ready for service.

Houston is also where United Airlines' Technical Recruitment Center is located. This is where would-be apprentices can learn the basics and apply for the program. The Calibrate Program is an earn-and-learn program, meaning that those in the training are getting paid as they are learning.

In addition to the Calibrate Program opening up in Houston, United Airlines also started a leg of the program in San Francisco, California. The airline has plans to open new classes in cities that are hubs for United Airlines across the United States.

Workforce Shortages

United Airlines is joining a long list of American employers that are running apprenticeship programs to boost the labor workforce. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh says,

"I think the greatest threat to our economy is lack of workers, and programs like this will help in a big way."

This development comes after the airline announced an effort to hire 50,000 people by 2026. United Airlines is looking to hire 15,000 new employees in 2023 after hiring 15,000 new employees in 2022.

Boeing currently estimates that there will be a need for over 600,000 new maintenance technicians in the next 20 years. It notes that the industry will need to work to recruit, train, and hire rapidly to shrink this number. United CEO Scott Kirby also recognized the need to train the future of the workforce. He spoke on the Calibrate Program, saying,

"Instead of using 'hard to find workers' as an excuse, helping build the workforce of the future is something we can do. It pays for itself; it's rewarding; it makes a difference in our communities."

Expanding capabilities

In addition to United Airlines beginning the Calibrate Program to train mechanics and technicians, the airline has also focused on developing the workforce in other needed areas. The airline recently announced plans to open a new flight training center, also in Houston, TX. United Airlines is set to create a 56,000-square-foot facility right outside George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

This flight training center includes classrooms, cabin and door trainers, and an aquatic center that includes a large pool and a mock fuselage that will be used to practice safe evacuations in the water.

The Calibrate Program opening in Houston and the plan to open a new flight training center come as part of the airline's $1 billion investment at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport over the past decade.