From Mississippi to Mobile: How early career programs boost Airbus US talent pipeline

Ashley Moody was refining her mechanical cabling skills when she discovered FlightPath9 Mississippi (FP9MS), a fast-track partnership between Flight Works Alabama and East Mississippi Community College that leads directly to an apprenticeship at Airbus Helicopters.

Drawn by the program’s focus on hands-on experience over traditional classroom theory, Ashley noted, “It was a great opportunity to jump into the aviation field and get real-life experience right away instead of being in a classroom for years. It's been great to learn at the moment with my lead teaching me exactly how to do something instead of reading it in a book." As a member of the program’s inaugural cohort of nine, Ashley is now thriving on the factory floor in Columbus, Mississippi.

For Airbus Helicopters, the apprenticeship program was born out of two vital needs: providing a bridge to the community and solving a specialized labor shortage.

"We wanted to provide people in our community with a career opportunity," says Reggie Thornton, HR Training Manager for Airbus Helicopters in the U.S. "Not all high school graduates want the college route. For those who want to start an aviation career now, we’re saying: 'Here is an opportunity. We’re going to pay for your General Aviation certification, train you and set you on your path with Airbus right now.'"

Facing a shortage of aircraft technicians in the area, Airbus took the lead. Instead of searching for talent, they decided to build it. 

"Why not train our own and get them in here as quickly as possible?"

Though the program is not yet a year old, it is already exceeding expectations. The original nine  apprentices have performed exceptionally, paving the way for a massive surge in interest. For the upcoming second class of prospective apprentices, Airbus received more than twice the number of applications as last year - a testament to the program’s growing reputation as a premier alternative career pathway.

The program's success is best told through the stories of those on the hangar floor. The inaugural cohort represents a diverse mix of backgrounds, proving that the "right fit" for aviation can come from anywhere.

Hunter Gregg joined the program for the stability an apprenticeship and career opportunity at Airbus provides his family. He already feels at home with his teammates and notes a growing camaraderie and connection between them. 

Hunter credits the Airbus “3-Step Rule (Watch, Collaborate and Master) for his ability to adapt to a new working environment while learning the ropes. 

"In an apprenticeship, you are pretty much guaranteed a job in a field that really no one knows how to do, so it sets you up for success if you follow the right steps,” Hunter said. “Airbus wants to see you grow not just as an employee but as a person."

Lemadrick Macon, another member of the original cohort, holds a degree and has served in the military. But his ultimate goal was to work in the aviation sector. 

The FP9MS program, its training and subsequent apprenticeship allowed him to achieve that goal. 

"I am surprised about how everything is in great detail and how professional the end result is,” Lemadrick said. “The coolest thing is when the job is completed, seeing that aircraft fly away, and seeing the smile on the customer’s face."

Beyond filling labor needs, these apprentices have revitalized the Airbus Helicopters culture with their contagious energy and gratitude. The team describes the new talent as a refreshing addition, noting, "They all really want to be here, they work hard and they want to do things the right way." 

As Airbus prepares to welcome its second cohort, the program has proven to be a transformative workforce solution that benefits both the Mississippi community and the company’s long-term operational success. 

Mobile’s proven career development model

Airbus’ commitment to developing talent extends beyond the helicopter facility in Columbus. It reaches down the Gulf Coast at the U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama, where its FlightPath9 (FP9) program has been preparing individuals for Airbus apprenticeships for more than five years. 

In addition to their graduation certificates, the recent FP9 grads were also inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, representing the first group of FP9 graduates and Airbus apprentices to join the society. 

In Mobile, the FP9 program offers both a 10-month track for high school seniors and a 10-week intensive course for adults, providing the hands-on labs and certifications necessary to step directly into an apprenticeship at Airbus. Mobile’s robust apprenticeship program creates a pipeline of talent to support Mobile’s growing production capability and contribute to Airbus’ global commercial aircraft ramp-up efforts. 

“It’s pretty rad. You get to tell people you build airplanes. That’s cool,” said graduate Luke Kroll, who described his application to the program as a successful "shot in the dark" that changed his life. “It’s kind of a flex.” 

Chelsea Atienza, a self-described skilled "tinkerer" with a family legacy in aviation, said the program was empowering and made her eager to begin her next chapter as an Airbus apprentice. 

“If men can do it, women can also do it,” said Chelsea, who is driven to lean into her love for problem solving at Airbus, with aspirations to join an electronics installation or avionics team on Mobile’s A320 Family or A220 Family production lines. 

Transitioning from the training lab to the factory floor, these graduates earn their "rite of passage" - the iconic purple shirt that signifies their new status as apprentices at the U.S. manufacturing facility. This milestone marks the start of their official roles, where they will partner with mentors to refine their technical skills and contribute directly to aircraft production.

Another cohort of future Airbus apprentices, recent high school graduates, will graduate from Mobile’s FP9 program on June 30.