The Iberia Maintenance Training Centre is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year as an EASA Part-147 centre.
Approved as a training facility in 2004 by the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA), it became the only centre in Spain with the ability to provide training for the A320 and A350 fleets. To professionals holding Aircraft Maintenance Licences, the centre provides training in Mechanics or Avionics, allowing new type ratings (fleet-engine) to be included in the licence. This enables authorisation as an aircraft certifier, which makes it possible to certify the entry into service of an aircraft following work carried out within the scope of that category.
“We are proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary as an EASA 147 centre. During these two decades, we have achieved our goal: to support the evolution of the MRO sector and facilitate the professional development of people through highly qualified training,” said Ignacio de la Iglesia, Manager of the Iberia Maintenance Training Centre.
“One of the strengths of our training centre is that it is integrated into Iberia Maintenance’s production units, which makes it easier to have the best instructors with extensive real-world experience, and employees who wish to continue studying can do so without having to leave their place of work.”
The training centre contains Airbus classroom simulation devices, full aircraft simulators, and access to the aircraft present at the maintenance facility for practice. It provides technical training in business areas, such as engines, aircraft, and components.
Iberia Maintenance Training Centre has over 50 instructors, support staff, and content developers, 16 of whom have Part-147 approval. Since its debut, the centre has served more than 10,000 students. In 2023, over 150,000 training hours were delivered.
Outside of the training centre, Iberia Maintenance has more than 2,500 Aeronautical Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) and expects the need for AMTs to grow continually due to demand. The world fleet is expected to increase by 28% over the next decade, leading to an increase in demand, estimated at around 33,000 professionals.
De la Iglesia said: “For an aircraft or engine to be able to fly after a repair or overhaul, a certifier must sign that all the established procedures have been complied with, following the approved manuals and leaving traceability of all the tasks carried out.”
While the facility’s performance has been positive, it has discussed areas for improvement, such as workforce renewal and encouraging more women to join the industry. Iberia Maintenance Training Centre stated that 33.7% of students in Spain are in vocational training, and of the 4.8% in the vehicle maintenance branch, only 0.4% are women.
Photo: Iberia
