Academy College in Bloomington, Minnesota, has introduced a new Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Apprenticeship Support Program.
The new program is designed to supplement the on-the-job training of a traditional 30-month aircraft mechanic apprenticeship with study materials, virtual seminars, apprentice mentoring, an app to track on the job and self-study progress, and a report card on the overall progress of the apprentice.
“Traditional aircraft maintenance schools today have long wait lists and maintenance technicians are in high demand,” said Nancy Grazzini-Olson Academy College president. “The current lack of certificated aircraft mechanics has prompted many maintenance organizations to hire uncertificated mechanics to work side-by-side with experienced mechanics to gain the hands-on experience required to test for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate. The goal is for the apprentice to be ‘test ready’ at the end of the program.”
“The challenge we hear from industry is managing the additional workload to properly support an apprentice mechanic,” said Jake Rosholt, Aircraft Maintenance Programs Coordinator. “This program is designed to ease the additional workload placed on supervisors and managers when hiring and training uncertificated mechanics.”
Academy College will also assist veterans with documented aircraft maintenance experience and civilians who have existing experience as an aircraft technician get credit for prior on the job experience, officials noted.
One of the first to use the Academy College AMT Apprenticeship Support Program is Loyd’s Aviation in Bakersfield, California.
“This fills a huge gap in the MRO industry,” said Loyd’s Ryan Crowl. “We see many talented people that would love to be an aircraft mechanic but cannot afford to take a time-out from life to attend a traditional school. This program lets us train people in-house in a controlled environment, and simultaneously provides students the ability to make a living while pursuing their career goals.”
For more information, call 952-851-0066 or go to AcademyCollege.edu.