From VAA to the Global Aviation Industry: Alumni Share Their Aircraft Maintenance Careers

As members of the first cohort of Vietnam Aviation Academy (VAA) students to join the training program at HAECO, many alumni have now returned to their alma mater to share their journey from the classroom to one of the world’s leading aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) companies.

Career Talk & Recruitment Program Co-hosted by Vietnam Aviation Academy and HAECO

On the afternoon of July 23, Vietnam Aviation Academy (VAA), in collaboration with HAECO, hosted the Career Talk & Recruitment program, attracting a large number of engineering students.

The event was attended by representatives of HAECO, OAI-Group, the leadership of VAA’s Faculty of Aeronautical Engineering, faculty members, VAA alumni currently working at HAECO, and students from various engineering disciplines.

A highlight of the program was the panel discussion featuring 10 VAA alumni currently employed at HAECO: Tran Quoc Thinh, Nguyen Thanh Hung, Do Ngoc Hai, Nguyen Vinh Quang, Nguyen Minh Hung, Le Cong Minh, Tran Quoc Nam, Dau Thi My, Nguyen Viet Khoa, and Luu Nguyen Khang.

From the First VAA Cohort to an International Workplace

As one of the members of the first VAA student cohort selected to join HAECO’s training program, Tran Quoc Nam recalled that the early days were filled with challenges as they adapted to an entirely English-speaking workplace, international engineering standards, and a new corporate culture.

“However, the dedicated support from HAECO’s experts, together with the guidance of our lecturers at VAA, helped us adapt quickly and grow both professionally and personally,” Nam shared.

A Highlight of the Event: Inspiring Conversations with 10 VAA Alumni Now Working at HAECO

Another alumnus who drew considerable attention was Tran Quoc Thinh. After graduating in Aeronautical Engineering from VAA, Thinh went on to complete the EASA B1 Aircraft Maintenance License training program in Australia. Despite having promising career opportunities overseas, he chose to return to Vietnam and join HAECO.

According to Thinh, the greatest attraction was the opportunity to work in an international-standard engineering environment without leaving Vietnam—where engineers have access to advanced technologies, globally recognized aircraft maintenance procedures, and a well-defined career development pathway.

The alumni agreed that the most valuable aspect of working at HAECO extends beyond competitive compensation and career prospects. More importantly, it is the opportunity to be part of a professional international workplace where “Safety First” is the guiding principle, and where teamwork, discipline, and accountability—the core values of the aviation industry—are embedded in every aspect of daily operations.

Opportunities Beyond Aeronautical Engineering

HAECO representatives revealed that, alongside its investment and expansion plans for the new aircraft maintenance hangar in Van Don, the company expects to recruit approximately 1,000 highly skilled professionals over the next few years.

The demand will not be limited to Aeronautical Engineering graduates. HAECO is also seeking talent from related disciplines, including Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering, creating broader career opportunities for students pursuing engineering programs at Vietnam Aviation Academy.

HAECO Plans to Recruit 1,000 High-Quality Personnel

HAECO representatives revealed that, alongside its investment and expansion plans for a new aircraft maintenance facility in Van Don, the company expects to recruit approximately 1,000 highly skilled professionals over the coming years.

In addition to strong demand for aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians, HAECO is also expanding opportunities for students majoring in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and other related technical disciplines to support the operation of advanced technologies within the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector.

The company also introduced two clear career pathways: an Engineer Track, which involves approximately four years of specialized training, and a Technician Track, requiring around two years of training. These pathways provide students with multiple options aligned with their abilities and career aspirations.

Thirteen Students Participate in Recruitment Assessment

Following the sharing session, 13 VAA students took part in a recruitment assessment organized directly by HAECO on campus.

The activity forms part of the ongoing collaboration between Vietnam Aviation Academy and HAECO, aimed at narrowing the gap between university education and industry practice by giving students early exposure to international recruitment processes while still at university.

The event also builds on the success of the 2025 recruitment program, through which a number of VAA students were selected by HAECO and are now working within the company. Encouraged by these positive outcomes, HAECO continues to regard VAA as one of its key talent pipelines while further expanding cooperation in both training and recruitment.

Through the program, students not only gained valuable insights from alumni already working in the industry but also developed a clearer understanding of recruitment requirements, career development pathways, and employment opportunities in the aircraft maintenance sector—an industry currently experiencing significant demand for highly qualified talent.

VAA students interact with HAECO representatives during the Career Talk & Recruitment program.

With an expanding network of partnerships with aviation companies both in Vietnam and abroad, Vietnam Aviation Academy (VAA) continues to reaffirm its commitment to industry-oriented education, providing students with early exposure to employers, opportunities to participate in recruitment activities, and the necessary preparation to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.

P. TS & CTSV – TH