Top Reasons to Hire Veterans for MRO Industry Roles

As an employer searching for top talent in the MRO industry, you know this sector is facing one of the most significant talent shortages. Companies are struggling to find qualified technicians and skilled workers to fill these roles. Fortunately, the answer to the MRO talent gap is right in front of us, our nation’s veterans.

Veterans are an often undervalued source of talent in the MRO industry, bringing technical expertise, discipline, and a strong work ethic to the table. For veterans, it is often easier than it may seem to transfer into a civilian role. For employers, hiring veterans offers financial and competitive advantages.

The MRO Talent Gap

Across the aviation industry, the workforce shortages are intensifying while the aviation industry grows. This has led to a large workforce gap, as technicians and skilled workers are aging out of the workforce faster than replacements can be trained. For civilians, earning an A&P Certification without prior experience can take a couple of years. As a result of the workforce shortage, MRO employers are competing for a small pool of qualified candidates making it crucial to explore other talent pools.

This is where veterans help solve the talent gap!

Why Veterans Are Built for the MRO Industry

Military service members receive the most comprehensive technical and hands-on training while in the field. The skills they gain are invaluable and often go beyond the education, training, experience a civilian has.

Some key strengths that veterans bring to MRO roles include:

• Technical Skills: Veterans have first hand experience in all things aviation systems, avionics, powerplants, and electrical systems along with rigorous technical training done in the field.
• Attention to Detail: Veterans have a precision focused safety first mindset where attention to detail is essential especially in high stake environments.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Veterans have strong communication and accountability skills from working in teams and as leaders.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Veterans have the ability to learn quickly, perform under pressure, and problem solve in demanding and fast conditions.

No matter the branch of service, veterans have valuable and transferable skills to the aviation industry. In addition to technical skills, veterans have many soft skills they bring to the work force including mission-oriented work focus, leadership skills, strong work ethic making them an ideal fit for MRO roles.

Keep reading to learn about the myths debunked regarding veterans in the workplace!

Veteran Hiring Myths

We have heard it all -– from “veterans only have military experience” to “military culture won’t fit into a corporate environment” and well those are just wrong! Let’s debunk some of these common myths about hiring veterans.

Myth 1: “Veterans only have military experience it doesn’t apply to the civilian world”

Reality: Military experience often exceeds civilian expectations. Many veterans have maintained and repaired some of the most advanced aircraft in high stake environments where safety and precision are non-negotiable. Military technicians routinely handle complicated systems and lead teams which often surpass what is needed in the civilian MRO space. For example, a service member who spent 5 years working on aircraft might not appear to have A&P experience on paper, but in reality that hands-on experience is equivalent to four to six years of A&P on-the-job training.

Myth 2: “Veterans will need too much retraining”

Reality: While some certifications differ, veterans come with the knowledge and technical expertise to adapt and transform into a new role. They may require some additional training, but government programs recognize their prior experience, allowing veterans to apply logged hours to qualify for the FAA A&P exam, bypassing the years of training typically required for civilians.

Myth 3: “Military culture won’t fit into a corporate environment”

Reality: Veterans bring teamwork, communication and leadership skills with them and actually enhance company culture. Their experience makes them the perfect fit into aviation maintenance teams to elevate the team.

Myth 4: “Military aircraft experience doesn’t translate to commercial aircraft maintenance”

Reality: The parts of aircraft maintenance are the same whether the aircraft is military or commercial. Veterans are trained to follow procedures and safety protocols that closely mirror the FAA regulations. Military aircraft are actually more complex, giving veterans a strong foundation that allows them to easily adapt to commercial aviation maintenance roles.

By debunking these myths, MRO employers can recognize the value veterans bring not just as technicians but as leaders who bring valuable insight and skills to companies.

Financial Benefits of Hiring Veterans

One of the biggest questions we hear is, “Do companies get tax breaks for hiring veterans?”

The answer is yes!

Employers may qualify for several state and federal tax advantages including:

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Up to $24,000 per qualified veteran
• SkillBridge Program: Offers active-duty service members employment training, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities prior to leaving the service. This offers employers access to highly trained talent at no cost to them
• GI Bill Program: Veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to cover the cost of additional training and education needed, while training for a job. This reduces the financial burden for employers while allowing veterans to continue developing skills.

These programs not only reduce hiring costs but also improve retention.

What are the Operational Advantages of Hiring a Veteran?

When hiring a veteran especially for an MRO role, their experience replicates seamlessly into the operations standpoint.

Veterans bring:

• Precision and accountability when it comes to compliance and safety. Their experience reflects in the work that they do because they are used to being in a high energy environment where safety and precision is a non-negotiable. Also working in teams where you have to take accountability for your actions.
• Extensive experience with complicated maintenance and repairs while working first hand on aircraft and other engines and parts
• Problem solving mindsets developed through real world, high pressure environments, something most civilians lack in.

Hiring veterans helps MRO teams perform better because of their precision, experience, and problem solving skills.

Certification Advantages of Hiring a Veteran

Active military and veterans can apply their service hours to receive sign-offs that allow them to directly take their A&P exam so they are ahead of most civilians. Unlike civilians who typically need 2 or more years of training. This allows employers to hire qualified candidates faster with less training time required.

For a deeper look at how veterans can leverage their training to transition, check out our recent blog: How to Get into the Aviation MRO Industry after the Military.

Contact Us

Veterans represent one of the most capable, reliable and underutilized workforces available today. By bringing them into MRO roles, companies gain more than skilled labor –– they gain leaders, problem solvers and team members.

In order for the MRO industry to thrive, investing in veteran hiring is a necessity. At Corpguidance Recruiting, we partner with both employers and candidates to connect people with the right opportunities. Whether you’re an employer seeking qualified talent or a veteran ready for your next chapter we are here to help you take flight especially in the MRO industry!