Inclusion as a driving force in aviation: ALTA and CEI form partnership

Panama, October 24, 2024 - Inclusion and diversity have proven to be essential for innovation and growth across all sectors, and aviation is no exception. In an industry historically dominated by men, aircraft maintenance is gradually making more room for female talent. In this context, the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) and the Corporación Educativa Indoamericana (CEI) of Colombia have joined forces to establish a significant partnership aimed at promoting the inclusion of women in the sector. The collaboration was formalized on October 18 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which lays the foundation for the selection process and the awarding of scholarships through ALTA's "Girls with Goals" Scholarship Program.

As a result of the voluntary efforts of aviation sector executives from Latin America and the Caribbean, and with a focus on attracting and developing women professionals in the field of aircraft maintenance, the “Girls with Goals” program offers access to high-level education and mentoring to build a solid and successful aviation career.

ALTA’s CEO and Executive Director, José Ricardo Botelho, emphasized the commitment to support students in completing the necessary studies to enter the labor market: “In the region, we have top-tier educational institutions. We are excited to work together to provide high-quality training to the next generation of professionals our industry needs to continue growing and meet the demand of passengers, which has been steadily increasing. Aviation is an essential means of transportation in Latin America and the Caribbean, so we take the mission of supporting the training of professionals in our countries with great responsibility and priority. This achievement goes far beyond numbers: it is about transforming lives and this sector, which is so important to all of us.”

In the initial phase, the program will provide financial support to final-year students of the Aircraft Maintenance Technician course at CEI, helping them to complete their studies and bringing them closer to obtaining the necessary certifications to enter the labor market and contribute to the growth of the sector.

Fostering inclusion and gender equality in technical areas of aviation is essential to building a more resilient and competitive sector, according to Santiago Valencia, ALTA's Director of Maintenance and Technical Supply. “The Latin American and Caribbean region has experienced one of the largest increases in the percentage of women in these roles in recent years, highlighting the positive impact of their growing participation. With 'Girls with Goals,' we are leveraging our presence across Latin America to drive this percentage even higher.”

Aircraft maintenance is vital to ensuring the safety and efficiency of flight operations. However, many countries face a growing shortage of skilled technicians, directly impacting airlines, which rely on trained teams to perform inspections, repairs, and aircraft certifications. “With the ‘Girls with Goals’ program, ALTA not only aims to help bridge this labor gap but also to promote diversity and strengthen the sector with new perspectives and talents,” said Jaime Escobar, ALTA’s Director of Aviation Training.

This collaboration is a concrete demonstration of both institutions' commitment to talent development and female inclusion in the aviation sector. According to Hernando Murcia, President of the Corporación Educativa Indoamericana, “One of our challenges is to contribute to the reconstruction of our social fabric through education, and the signing of the ALTA-Indoamericana agreement gives us the tools to achieve this,” said Murcia.

The alliance's launching ceremony was held at the Indoamericana installations in Bogota and was attended by authorities such as the Colombian Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aeronautics, as well as associations and companies such as the National Association of Colombian Businessmen (ANDI) and Avianca.