Academy College launches AMT Apprenticeship Support Program

news
0
SHARE:

Academy College, Minnesota, has launched a new Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Apprenticeship Support Program, designed to provide an additional structured approach to traditional on-the-job training (OJT).

The programme aims to reduce the managerial burden on organisations during traditional 30-month aircraft apprenticeships. The new approach includes the provision of current study materials, virtual seminars, apprentice mentoring, an app for tracking OJT and self-study progress and monthly progress report cards.

Nancy Grazzini-Olson, president, Academy College said: “Traditional aircraft maintenance schools today have long wait lists and maintenance technicians are in high demand. The current lack of certificated aircraft mechanics has prompted many maintenance organisations 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, according to Grazzini-Olson, is for apprentices to be “test-ready” by the end of the programme.

Jake Rosholt, Aircraft Maintenance Programs coordinator for Academy College, said the programme will also support managers of apprenticeships: “The challenge we hear from industry is managing the additional workload to properly support an apprentice mechanic. This programme is designed to ease the additional workload based on supervisors and managers when hiring and training uncertificated mechanics.”

Loyd Aviation, Bakersfield, California , was one of the first to use the AMT Apprenticeship Support Program. Ryan Crowl, its president, said the programme enables a more inclusive approach to traditional aircraft maintenance training: “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 programme 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,” he added.

Academy College will also assist veterans with documented aircraft maintenance experience in certain Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and civilians who have existing experience as an aircraft technician will get credit for prior OJT.

SHARE: