Future TechOps Careers Take Flight at Delta’s Atlanta Aviation Maintenance Academy - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

As conversations about artificial intelligence continue to focus on the future of work, this year’s Atlanta Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy highlighted a different reality: careers in aviation – particularly in Technical Operations (TechOps) – are in growing demand.

Co-hosted by Delta Air Lines and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), the Atlanta ACE Academy has for years introduced middle and high school students to the wide range of career opportunities in aviation through an immersive week-long program at Delta’s Atlanta headquarters. In recent years, the academy has placed an increasing emphasis on TechOps careers, where demand for skilled professionals continues to outpace the available workforce.

Hands-on experience inside Delta’s maintenance operations

This year, 45 students from Atlanta and across the United States gained exclusive access to Delta’s maintenance facilities. They toured aircraft undergoing maintenance, learned how Delta TechOps uses drones before building and flying their own, and met technicians and company leaders who shared insights into their daily work.

The program also explored many other areas of aviation, including flight operations, through activities such as flight simulator sessions and a panel discussion featuring former Delta Captain John Bailey, creator of the DREAM Flight program.

“It was an obvious choice to support the Aviation Maintenance program,” said Cherise Burton, Operations Initiatives, Operations Planning & Performance at Delta and Director of the Atlanta Aviation Maintenance ACE Academy. “Through hands-on experience with real planes, we are offering a chance for students to see what makes TechOps so special and to envision a future career for themselves.”

For many participants, the program revealed an entirely new perspective on the airline industry.

“When I think of Delta, I think pilots and flying. It was very cool how this program allowed me to see the whole team behind Delta,” said ninth-grade participant Ella Sawyer. “It was interesting to see the different sides of aviation and the conveyor belt of people who help these planes fly.”

Growing demand for aircraft maintenance professionals

The ACE Maintenance Academy provides students with an introduction to one of aviation’s fastest-growing career paths. According to industry estimates, more than 500,000 additional aircraft maintenance technicians will be needed worldwide as experienced workers retire and global airline fleets continue to expand.

Entry-level positions in aviation maintenance typically offer annual salaries of approximately US$55,000 to US$65,000, while experienced technicians frequently earn well into six-figure incomes. Many TechOps careers do not require a traditional four-year university degree. Some positions require specialized maintenance licenses, while others focus primarily on technical skills and practical training.

“This camp was a great insight into things my kids haven’t seen before,” said Chantelle Bunting, whose three children participated in this year’s academy. “My son, who wants to be a pilot, was particularly surprised by the TechOps side of things and is interested in earning a certification as soon as he can… My kids are already asking me when they can apply for next year!”

Participation in the ACE Maintenance Academy increased by 50 percent compared with last year, reflecting growing student interest in practical, high-demand career opportunities.

“I actually want to be able to work with my hands more, and that's why I looked towards aviation maintenance,” said high school senior Jordin Maclin. “We were talking to line maintenance, and they got to tell me about the traveling they do, what their experience is like and their education. It inspires me to pursue this journey.”

Supporting the next generation of aviation professionals

Delta TechOps is the largest airline maintenance organization in North America, employing more than 13,000 people. In addition to maintaining Delta’s own fleet, its rapidly expanding maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business provides services to more than 150 airline and aviation customers worldwide and is expected to generate US$1.2 billion in revenue this year.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian recently highlighted the strategic importance of the division, noting: “[TechOps] is a great business for us to be in. We operate and serve as many of our other airlines’ engines as we do our own, and our people love continuing to grow that line of business.”

Creating pathways into aviation careers

The ACE Academy forms part of Delta’s broader commitment to expanding access to aviation careers for underrepresented groups. Beyond introducing students to career opportunities, the program connects them directly with Delta employees who offer guidance, mentoring and ongoing support.

“We don’t just show these students different career opportunities; we show them how to get there,” Burton said. “Our volunteers are real employees doing this work; they are building connections with these students, handing out phone numbers and asking students to stay in touch.”

David Thompson, Senior Vice President of Delta TechOps, added: “Across Delta TechOps, we're not just focused on today's operations — we're building for tomorrow. Investing in programs like the ACE Academy gives students an opportunity to explore careers in aviation maintenance, learn from experienced professionals and see firsthand what this industry has to offer. That's how we help inspire the next generation of skilled technicians.”

OBAP currently operates ACE Academy programs at 46 locations across the United States, reaching approximately 1,100 students each year. Delta’s Atlanta ACE Academy, the organisation’s flagship programme, attracts applicants from across the country. This year, students from ten states, including Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio and the U.S. Virgin Islands, took part.

Over the past 21 years, the partnership between Delta and OBAP has provided more than 4,000 young people with immersive opportunities to explore careers in aviation through initiatives such as the ACE Academy and the DREAM Flight programme.

Image Credit: © Delta Air Lines