For MRO organisations, the licensed engineer shortage cuts more sharply than for most aviation employers. Airlines at least have the advantage of a stable, known base of operations to offer candidates. MROs — particularly those performing base maintenance — are often offering shift patterns, locations and work environments that require more active selling, at a time when every employer in the market is competing aggressively for the same people.
The Supply Reality
The supply of experienced, current EASA Part-66 B1 and B2 licensed engineers in Europe is not growing fast enough to meet demand. The Part-66 licence pathway takes a minimum of five years from the start of an apprenticeship or recognised training programme — and that assumes no interruption. The engineers who left the industry during the pandemic and have not returned represent a permanent loss that will not be recovered. The demographic effect of experienced engineers retiring is accelerating. And the competition from airlines, business aviation operators and OEM support organisations for the same pool of available candidates is more intense than at any previous point.
Contracting as a Structural Strategy
Many MROs have responded to these conditions by building more robust contractor relationships rather than relying exclusively on permanent headcount. This is sound strategy. A well-managed contractor pool — built on fair rates, reliable payment, professional treatment on-site and genuine relationships — provides flexibility that cannot be replicated through permanent hiring alone. It also gives access to engineers who genuinely prefer contract working and who would not consider a permanent position regardless of the package offered.
The critical point is that effective contractor pools must be built before you need them. Protec Technical works with MRO clients to develop forward contractor pipelines — identifying and pre-qualifying engineers who are available or may become available, maintaining those relationships through regular contact, and mobilising quickly when assignments arise. Organisations that start the process when the hangar is already full and the next check is three weeks away are starting too late.
Type Rating Coverage and the Case for Training Investment
The most acute shortage within the already-constrained licensed engineer pool is at the intersection of licence currency and specific type rating coverage. Engineers with A320 Family ratings represent the largest single pool; engineers with B737 ratings represent the second. Beyond those two types, the available pool drops significantly. For MROs with scope across multiple types — or for those taking on new types as part of business development — investing in training candidates who have the licence but lack the type rating is often the most cost-effective route to the coverage you need.
Starting the Conversation
At Protec Technical we work exclusively in aviation, aerospace and defence. We have an active network of licensed engineers across the UK and Europe, and we understand the practical realities of MRO workforce planning. If you are planning headcount or contractor requirements for the coming season, we would welcome the opportunity to talk through what is available and what the realistic timelines look like.
