The First Certified Maintenance Female Technician in Independent Georgia’s Civil Aviation History
Providing new career opportunities in the civil aviation sector
Ia Paichadze, a graduate of Georgian Aviation University’s training center
“Being the first female certified aviation maintenance technician in independent Georgia’s civil aviation sector is both an honor and a disappointment—there should have been others before me, says Ia Paichadze, a 25-year-old aviation maintenance technician who graduated from the USAID-supported training center at Georgian Aviation University. “I believe more women should consider careers in aviation. With determination and hard work, anything is possible.”
With the emergence of new airlines in Georgian airspace, the demand for aviation engineering jobs is on the rise, making the aviation industry a priority sector for Georgia. It has become a crucial driver of the country’s economic development, which is particularly evident in its contributions to tourism, cargo transportation, and essential services such as medical, firefighting, and search-and-rescue operations in mountainous regions.
To address the shortage of highly skilled aviation personnel and bolster the development of Georgia’s civil aviation sector, the USAID Industry-led Skills Development Program partnered with Georgian Aviation University to modernize the sector, including by upgrading and expanding the training and preparation of qualified aviation professionals like Ia, with a focus on aircraft maintenance and airport design and operation.
The program also supports enhancements to the university’s training facilities to improve infrastructure and increase access to effective learning resources for aviation personnel. The university follows recommendations and guidelines from international industry bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and European Aviation Safety Agency.
Ia’s daily responsibilities now include pre-flight and post-flight maintenance checks to ensure everything on board is technically secure. Performing line maintenance and aviation maintenance checks ensure that an aircraft is airworthy and safe to continue operation. “Aviation is a demanding field where one must persevere until the end, without giving up. My greatest challenge was undoubtedly earning trust and proving myself as a capable aviation maintenance technician, regardless of gender, as success in this field requires unwavering dedication and hard work,” she notes.
Ia is just one of 90 individuals who will enroll in USAID-supported aviation workforce development programs and enhance their opportunities for high-value employment in both national aviation companies and international aviation companies operating in Georgia.
This article is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of IESC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
