A report released on Monday by maintenance group AAR warns that the aircraft mechanic shortage has reached a critical point and urges employers to “break down silos” and collaborate with high schools, colleges, nonprofit groups, and elected officials to expand early access to aviation maintenance curriculum and training.

Discussing ways to close the so-called "mid-skills gap," the report includes case studies and addresses opportunities to attract talent under the updated FAA Part 147. The regulation removes a seat time requirement that measures competency based on hours and paves the way for more collaboration and additional training locations.

Chicago-headquartered AAR partnered with nonprofit Choose Aerospace to release a general aviation curriculum based upon the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards into high schools and colleges. The report recommends the agency further update regulations to allow AMT candidates who complete a general aviation curriculum in high school to take the FAA general exam, one of the written tests needed to become certified. It also calls on lawmakers to pass immigration policies that allow aviation companies to recruit talent from abroad to meet demand.

“We have the facilities to grow. We just need the talent,” said Ryan Goertzen, AAR’s v-p of workforce development. “Companies that invest in training must look to solve the issue not only for themselves but for the industry.”