How is the adoption of these new technologies impacting training processes in the MRO sector and the ever-present supply chain and labour challenges in the industry?

 

AviTrader MRO sent journalist Keith Mwanalushi to speak to members of the MRO industry about how they are adapting to new technologies and about the impact these are having on training programmes in the MRO sector.

 

There is not a business around that does not strive to improve its operations and level of efficiency. Since people are at the core of most businesses one must look at the level of training being delivered, and whether this is equipping them to adapt to new operational strategies and new technologies.

 

Michael Coughlin, Chief Operating Officer at SetnaiO, says they are placing great importance on the latest technologies to enhance and improve customer service. ‘It’s an exciting time in the MRO industry with the advent of numerous advanced technologies and tools,’ he comments.

 

There was incredible growth in e-learning and online training platforms during and post the global pandemic, and Craig Macpherson, Chief Information Officer at AJW Group, says the Group has adopted machine learning and data analytics, amongst other tools, as a means to deliver training programmes at its MRO facility in Montreal.

 

Technicians at AJW Technique maximise their component touch time by using a tablet application that has been built to optimise workflow. This is creating more opportunities for technicians and engineers to move into roles within digital development and management.

 

‘We’re putting great effort into adopting technology while still leading people, engaging them, and changing the culture to make it more cohesive and open-minded,’ says Macpherson, who affirms the need to bring the workforce along on the journey of embracing innovative technology.

 

Erkki Brakmann, CEO and Founder of SkySelect, states that it is impossible to be successful without using technology, whether in the MRO sector or any sector for that matter. He affirms Macpherson’s belief that technology is the way forward, with AI currently being the primary focus in the industry.

 

Artificial Intelligence is leading the way in the procurement process and helping to overcome the challenges of labour shortages. Digital innovations are driving more efficient processes and aiding cost-savings within aviation through predictive forecasting. These tools are supporting a more workable and fluid supply chain.

 

Although technologies can assist with current challenges, they do not solve the problem of a lack of skilled labour, notes Thierry Lefevre, Head of Technical Training Centre at Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. Other IT tools must also be utilised when designing training programmes, with a mixture of in-person and distance learning made available for colleagues spread across the globe.

 

By tapping into novel ways of learning, the industry can appeal to a younger workforce in a more engaging way. Improving the quality and content of training and mixing theory and practical exercises will reinforce their career growth.

 

Vallair also sees technology as a potential solution to maximise operation efficiency. Vallair’s Corporate Officer, Armel Jezequel, offers insight into the benefits of AI in the MRO sector.

 

AI technology can transform real-time information into digital data that can be used in predictive maintenance. The possibilities of using digital technology in MRO training programmes grow daily and are the way of the future for aviation, whether in the commercial or military sectors. These technologies will enhance learning outcomes says SetnaiO’s Coughlin.

 

At AJW Technique in Montreal, machine learning and AI are used in the predictive maintenance consoles of the shop floor. The Group is also implementing an industry blockchain pilot for parts trace and provenance, RFID, and paperless workflow apps to ensure maximum efficiency, says Macpherson.

 

The article suggests that although there is a growing popularity of data visualisation, automation, and digital inspections, amongst others, some in the industry do not believe there is sufficient support for these technologies to be implemented into training programmes.

 

‘Whether the market can adopt these technologies, depends on whether businesses have the capacity to implement them within their current technical resources, whether they have the availability of skilled professionals to implement them, and whether they have the means to invest in research and development,’ comments AJW’s Macpherson. He suggests that partnerships between industry stakeholders, technology companies, and educational institutions could create ‘opportunities for knowledge sharing and innovation.’

 

Brakmann of SkySelect, notes that when it comes to the growth of technology, it is the adoption rather than the implementation that is important, and he offers that tech providers have a great deal to improve on in this regard. ‘The easier you make the usage, the less training it requires and the faster the adoption — it is all interconnected.’

 

Mwanalushi concludes his insights into new technologies with a quote by Coughlin who notes that humans will always remain vital, however, automation can enhance and improve aviation efficiency.