Roundtable at Miami Airframe MRO focuses on apprenticeship pathways

WOOD DALE, Illinois – AAR CORP., a provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs and OEMs, hosted United States Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling and industry stakeholders at its Airframe MRO – Miami facility for a roundtable discussion aimed at strengthening national workforce development through apprenticeships.

During the visit, Deputy Secretary Sonderling toured the Miami facility and met with apprentices to discuss their backgrounds, experience and career aspirations, as well as AAR’s operational activities. Representatives from AAR, alongside other MROs, airlines, educational institutions and non-profit organisations, shared collaborative approaches to expanding apprenticeship opportunities and modernising workforce development programmes.

Deputy Secretary Sonderling said that gaining first-hand insight into AAR’s apprenticeship programme and engaging with staff and apprentices underscored the growing demand for highly trained technicians. He noted that apprenticeship programmes in the private sector are important to achieving the Administration’s goal of one million active apprentices.

Supporting a national workforce initiative

The roundtable was convened in support of a 2025 executive order intended to expand apprenticeship opportunities leading to skilled trade roles.

Across its global network, AAR currently has 70 team members enrolled in its apprenticeship programme, which is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The programme forms part of AAR’s EAGLE Career Pathway initiative, designed to develop a talent pipeline for the aviation sector.

Ryan Goertzen, AAR’s Vice President of Workforce Development, said the company has been engaging with the U.S. Department of Labor to highlight opportunities to address labour demand in aviation through additional apprenticeship programmes. He added that the discussion marked a further step towards strengthening apprenticeship opportunities nationwide.

Programme recognition

During the visit on February 19, 2026, Deputy Secretary Sonderling presented an apprenticeship programme certificate of completion to AAR team member Nicolas Alvarez at the Miami facility, joined by AAR leadership and programme participants.

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defence aftermarket solutions company operating in more than 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, the company supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services.

About the U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor administers and enforces federal laws covering workplace activities for approximately 165 million workers and 11 million workplaces, with a mandate to promote workforce welfare, employment opportunities and workplace standards.