AEA, NextOp team up to help veterans land aviation careers
Partnership seeks to supply skilled workers to avionics industry
The Aircraft Electronics Association is collaborating with NextOp, a nonprofit that seeks to combat employment challenges facing veterans and military members.
With this partnership, the two hope to connect high-performing middle-enlisted (E3 through-E7) leaders with career opportunities in the avionics industry by partnering with enlisted service members and veterans every step of the way until they accept an offer of employment.
NextOp explains that more than 200,000 men and women leave the U.S. military every year and that the middle enlisted, which make up 82 percent of military personnel, receive the least employment assistance of any veteran demographic.
"Veterans and transitioning military personnel need help finding sustainable employment in a competitive civilian market," said AEA President and CEO Mike Adamson. "NextOp has a successful track record in finding employment for veterans while simultaneously solving recruitment issues for companies. This collaboration will help our member businesses find highly qualified technicians in a tight labor market and introduce these veterans to rewarding opportunities in the high-tech avionics industry."
"There is a good percentage of aircraft mechanics and service members who are mechanically inclined and are quick learners transitioning out of the service,” Patrick McManus, employment coordinator at NextOp, said. “NextOp partners with companies that have a need for avionics technicians and aircraft mechanics in the workforce and [provides] vetted quality candidates for open roles. With the AEA's broad membership base across the United States, this opens up a large number of opportunities for the veterans we serve."
“All NextOp services are free to both service members and companies. The organization is funded through supporters, including corporate donors,” AEA said.
