Building Tomorrow’s Aviation Mechanic Workforce with Women

Sara Withrow

Tuesday, March 08, 2022 at 10:30 AM ET

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Stacey Rudser in her signature pink work boots. [Courtesy: Stacey Rudser]

Key Takeaways:

The aviation maintenance industry faces a significant technician shortage, with women making up only 2.62 percent of the workforce, highlighting an underutilized resource for filling the predicted deficit.
Women in aviation maintenance encounter substantial challenges including a lack of awareness about the career path, an inflexible work culture, and prevalent issues of harassment and discrimination, leading to high attrition rates.
Organizations like the Association of Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM), championed by Stacey Rudser, are actively working to recruit and retain women through comprehensive scholarships, mentorship programs, DEI education, and advocacy for cultural change within the industry.

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Editor’s Note: This article is part of a month-long series to mark Women’s History Month: March 1: Pioneers of Women’s Aviation | March 2: Carole Hopson | March 4: Martha King | March 8: Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance | March 11: The Air Race Classic | March 15: Sisters of the Skies | March 18: Women in Aviation Conference | March 22: Women In Aviation: The Numbers | March 22: The first graduating class of Air Force female pilots. | March 25: Bonny Simi of Joby Aviation | March 29: Top Female Difference Makers in Aviation

When Stacey Rudser graduated high school, she didn’t know what she wanted to do for a career. She waited tables and worked in customer service for a couple of years. Realizing time was slipping past and she needed to “grow up and do something,” Rudser found herself searching the internet for how to be an aircraft mechanic.