About this episode

Jennifer Radtke discusses the booming field of aviation maintenance and its potential as a career path for the next generation.

Aviation maintenance is booming — and Boeing's Jennifer Radtke says the mechanic shortage now outpaces the pilot shortage for the first time in history. 710,000 aviation technicians will be needed over the next 20 years. Airlines are already experiencing delays from maintenance staffing gaps — and that number is only going to grow. Yet most young people still have no idea this career path exists, what it pays, or how far it can take them. Jennifer Radtke has spent 32 years in aviation, starting as a mechanic and working her way to Functional Chief Engineer at Boeing — a role she didn't even know existed when she started. Her message is simple: the trades are not a fallback. In aviation, they're a launchpad. Jennifer Radtke is a Director and Functional Chief Engineer for Product Support Engineering at Boeing. With 32 years in the aviation industry — starting on the wrench-turning side of the business — she now leads technical workforce development, mentorship programs, and the engineering pipeline for one of the largest aerospace companies in the world. If you're in the trades, considering aviation maintenance, or working to build the next generation of skilled workers, this…

People in this episode

Host: Andrew Brown

Guest: Jennifer Radtke

Topics covered

• aviation maintenance
• career opportunities
• mechanic shortage
• skilled trades
• workforce development

Keywords

• aviation maintenance
• mechanic shortage
• Boeing
• career path
• skilled trades
• workforce development
• technical training

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Boeing

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