Aircraft engineer course may become degree programme

NEW DELHI: Aircraft maintenance engineers may soon be able to apply for jobs in other industries. The government is considering to convert the three-year aircraft maintenance engineer ( AME) certificate course into a fullfledged degree programme that will help a successful trainee earn a BSc degree at the end of the course.

"We receive a lot of complaints of AMEs remaining jobless in case they are not hired by airlines,” said a senior aviation ministry official, requesting anonymity. "Since the AME course is a certificate course, the holders of it cannot even apply for other jobs. We are working to formulate rules to convert it into a BSc degree so that they can become eligible for other jobs too." The official said the civil aviation ministry has held meetings with the human resources development ministry and the University Grants Commission on the issue.

The government has also told institutes conducting the AME course that they will have to comply with the norms laid down by the All India Council of Technical Education from the next batch.