Aviation College in Minnesota Launches New Aviation Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Support Program

Academy College in Bloomington, Minnesota, has a new AMT Apprenticeship Support Program that offers a unique solution to ensure success of a traditional 30-month aircraft mechanic apprenticeship. The new program supplements a person’s on-the-job training (OJT) with a structured approach that provides support to ensure completion and success. This turnkey solution reduces managerial burden on the organization in administrating an apprenticeship program.

Nancy Grazzini-Olson, Academy College president, 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 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.”

Included in the program are current study materials, virtual seminars, apprentice mentoring, an easy-to-use app for tracking OJT and self-study progress, and a monthly balanced report card on the overall progress of the apprentice.

Jake Rosholt, aircraft maintenance programs coordinator for Academy College, said, “The challenge we hear from industry is managing the additional workload to properly support an apprentice mechanic. This program is designed to ease the additional workload placed on supervisors and managers when hiring and training uncertificated mechanics.”

One of the first to use the Academy College AMT Apprenticeship Support Program is Loyd’s Aviation in Bakersfield, California. Loyd’s Ryan Crowl said of the program, “This fills a huge gap in the MRO industry. 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.”

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

If you are an FBO looking for a better way of training an apprentice, or an individual considering a career in aviation maintenance, contact Jake Rosholt at 952-851-0066 Extension 328.