SAMA News No 6-2024

Unique workshop with aviation industry, SWISSMEM and FOCA

Dear members of SAMA

After several month of preworks, kick-off meetings and consolidation sessions together with SWISSMEM and the aviation industry, we had the unique chance to carry out an intensive workshop together with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA in coordination with Erb Coaching & Beratung.

 

The aim of the workshop was to develop solutions and alternatives to find enough skilled professionals in future for the maintenance sector of our industry.

The basis for the development of solution ideas and alternatives was formed by conducting interviews with aircraft technicians and employees of maintenance companies beforehand.

Based on the interview responses, it was possible to start into the workshop.

A possible solution or improvement to the overall situation was worked out in four different groups and presented to a selected committee at the end of the day.

The following starting points were developed:

 

  • Optimisation of the lateral entry model for licensed Aircraft Technicians

  • Development of an own apprenticeship for Aircraft Technicians

  • Harmonisation of Swiss and European regulations (FOCA & EASA)

  • Marketing and public relations work for the profession of an Aircraft Technician

The four possible solutions were presented to the above-mentioned committee, which analysed and judged the options.

  

Many thanks are due to the committee, which was composed as follows:

Christian Hegner | Director of FOCA

Gianmario Giacomelli | Vice Director of FOCA, Head of Division Safety Aircraft

Fritz Messerli | Vice Director of FOCA, Head of Division Safety Flightoperations

Dr. Claus Bauer | Vice President Fleet Management & PO Engineering of Swiss International Air Lines

Dr. Stefan Brupbacher | Director of SWISSMEM

Stephan Regli | President of SAMA

The workshop was followed by small group discussions and meetings to decide on the next steps and to focus on a realistic and effective solution to counteract the shortage of skilled professionals in the short- and medium term.

The first project groups were defined in March, with SAMA representatives from the areas of aircraft and helicopter manufacturers, maintenance and components. We will continously keep you informed about the progress of these projects.

As an association, we would like to thank the following member companies and persons for their very important cooperation in the run-up to and at the workshop, and for their valuable and very constructive collaboration:

AAL Altenrhein Aviation | Christoph Müller, Head of Quality

AAL Altenrhein Aviation | Stefan Kroh, Head of Maintenance

Aero Group | Rolf Pellet, Head of Quality & NPCA

AeroVisto Interior Services | Hermann Bauer, CVO

AeroVisto Interior Services | Carsten Matthiesen, CCO

Air Glaciers | Ralf Tonezzer, Technical Manager & NPCA

Cessna Zurich Citation Service Center | Roland Müller, Head of Quality

Flight Maintenance MFGZ | Andy Kradolfer, CEO

Hedinger MRO | René Müller, Owner & Managing Director

Helvetic Airways | Simon Schatzmann, Head of Business Development

Nomad Technics | Christian Sacker, Head of Quality & Debuty CEO

Pilatus Aircraft | Matthias Klein, Director Aircraft Maintenance

RUAG Switzerland | Enzo Giannini, Head of Operations

SAMA | Stefan Oser, Vice President & Board Member

Swiss Air Force | Brigadier Christian Oppliger, Deputy Commander Air Force

Swiss Aeropole | Massimo Fiorin, Managing Director

Swiss International Air Lines | Jessica Barbagallo, Head of Maintenance

SR Technics Switzerland | Zeljko Raisic, Senior Vice President Safety & Regulatory Compliance

SR Technics Switzerland | Jean-Marc Lenz, former CEO

REGA Swiss Air-Ambulance | Andreas Lüthi, CFO

TEKO Schweizerische Fachschule | Adrian Aegler, Managing Director

 

Additionally for great preworks, coordination and also moderation of the workshop:

SWISSMEM | Marianne Röhricht, Head of Education Politics

SWISSMEM | Matthias Zoller, Secretary General of SWISS ASD

Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA | Linda Eggenberger, Research Employee

Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA | Gianpaolo Cecchin, Head of Section Airspace

Erb Coaching & Beratung | Philipp Erb, Owner & Coach

We wish you a beautiful springtime and look forward to seeing you again soon.

 

With best regards,

Balz Albertin

Managing Director of SAMA

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