WSAA Apprentice

Position: WSAA Apprentice - 1125
WSAA is a learning Academy in a classroom environment providing new hires with the educational and practical / hands-on knowledge needed about aviation maintenance to test and obtain the FAA Airframe license.

This position is a full-time paid apprenticeship to include benefits eligibility from day 1. Temporary living expenses must be covered by the new hire. Upon graduation and attaining the FAA Airframe license, employment continues as a full-time licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician.

This hourly position will be enrolled in West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA) for the first 7.5 months of employment, which is physically located in East Alton, Illinois. IT IS A REQUIREMENT TO TEMPORARILY LIVE IN THE GENERAL EAST ALTON, ILLINOIS OR ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AREA WHILE ATTENDING WSAA.

This position will be enrolled in West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA) learning about aviation maintenance and working towards obtaining an FAA Airframe license before starting their career with West Star Aviation as a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician. Attending WSAA provides in-depth learning and training about airframe maintenance while building skills through hands-on training in collaboration with Southwestern Illinois College and Choose Aerospace.

Mentorship and job shadowing will further bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience. Upon successful graduation from the Academy, to include licensing by the FAA, apprentices will be promoted into a full-time Aircraft Maintenance Technician position and will begin working on aircraft alongside other West Star Aviation technicians. #ZR

Before applying, please be aware of the standard of conduct for employment with West Star, along with the minimum requirements below while attending WSAA.

What You'll Do (essential job functions)

• Work in a full-time position while attending the Academy for the first 7.5 months in accordance with the requirements below.
• Learn about aviation maintenance through formal and hands-on experiences to include using various types of technology, tools and aircraft or job aid boards.
• Test and achieve the FAA Airframe license.
• Continue in employment while performing the essential job functions of a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician!

Who You Are

• High school graduate or the equivalent
• Former military with aviation maintenance experience but without an FAA Airframe license.
• An individual with a desire to become a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician.
• Demonstrate a strong mechanical aptitude, is respectful and a team player with a self-starter attitude who can adapt to our standards of conduct while working as apart of a team in a safety-oriented environment.
• Committed to completing the full 7.5 month learning curriculum as part of WSAA to earn a "license to learn" and begin your career in Aircraft Maintenance with WSA
• Sign a work commitment to complete WSAA and stay with West Star for 3-years after successfully graduating WSAA or agree to be financially responsible for repaying the cost of the educational curriculum.
• Qualified candidates will be able to pass pre-screening assessments and background checks to include a mechanical aptitude test.
• Highly qualified candidates are those who also have prior aviation maintenance experience but lack an FAA license.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be able to attend and complete every scheduled work / class day (Mon-Fri 7:00am start time 3:30pm end time).
• Must not miss more than 4 hours per week while in the Academy.
• Thereafter, must continue to demonstrate timely and regular attendance and schedule absences in advance with minimal unscheduled absences. Reliable attendance while learning in the Academy and throughout employment is an essential job function.
• To remain employed after completion of the Academy requires timely testing and completion of the FAA requirements to obtain the Airframe license.
• Must perform all learning and thereafter all work in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines along with Company Policies, Safety, Regulatory and Quality Standards, Aircraft Manuals and Operating Procedures.
• Safety-sensitive positions require a commitment to being drug-free this starts…