Iberia Maintenance has taken in more than 130 vocational training students for internships at its La Muñoza facilities, marking a 50% increase on last year and reinforcing the company’s commitment to developing the next generation of aviation technicians.

The students – drawn from intermediate and advanced vocational degrees, professional certificates and EASA 147 basic training centres approved by AESA (the Spanish State Aviation Safety Agency) – will spend the coming months working across Iberia Maintenance’s engine, aircraft and component workshops.

Key partner institutions include CIFP Profesor Raúl Vázquez, IES Barajas, IES La Paloma, CFELYA Leganés, ALEF Getafe, Aviation Group and Fidamc.

Internships cover disciplines such as aeromechanics, avionics, aircraft structures, machining, mechatronics and electromechanics, as well as composites, aircraft painting and inspection.

Forty of the new arrivals are enrolled on the Intensive Dual Training modality, which continues to expand year on year.

María Bello, Iberia’s director of people and talent, said: “At Iberia, we are committed to vocational training because we know it is key to the future of aviation… This year we reached a record with more than 130 students, which reflects our commitment to young talent and to technical profiles essential for keeping our aircraft in the air.”

Since 2018, more than 600 students have completed internships with Iberia Maintenance, with 60% joining the company afterwards.

The initiative also aligns with growing global demand for technicians: AESA estimates that around 402,000 aircraft maintenance professionals will be required over the next decade.

To widen the talent pool further, Iberia Maintenance has launched a bridging course aimed at qualified automotive, rail and industrial technicians, providing dedicated training in aircraft engine maintenance.

The company’s training centre – an EASA 147-approved facility for more than 20 years – continues to play a central role in upskilling new and existing professionals.

Iberia Maintenance remains the only provider in Spain authorised to deliver type training for the Airbus A320, A330 and A350 families.

Since 2004, the centre has trained more than 10,000 students, supported by 18 specialist instructors and more than 50 trainers and content developers. In 2024 alone, over 150,000 student-hours of training were delivered.

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