WSAA Apprentice

WSAA Apprentice

Full Time – On Site – Grand Junction, CO, USA. Posted 30+ days ago.

WSAA is a learning academy in a classroom environment that provides 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 one. 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.

• Work in a full‑time position while attending the Academy for the first 7.5 months in accordance with the requirements listed below.
• Learn about aviation maintenance through formal and hands‑on experiences, including 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.

• High school graduate or 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.
• Demonstrates strong mechanical aptitude, respects others, is a team player, and has a self‑starter attitude capable of adapting to our standards of conduct 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 a career in Aircraft Maintenance with us.
• Signed 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 can pass pre‑screening assessments and background checks, including a mechanical aptitude test.
• Highly qualified candidates are those who also have prior aviation maintenance experience but lack an FAA license.

• Must attend and complete every scheduled work/class day (Mon‑Fri, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm).
• Must not miss more than 4 hours per week while in the Academy.
• Afterward, must continue to demonstrate timely and regular attendance and schedule absences in advance; minimal unscheduled absences are required. 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, company policies, safety, regulatory and quality standards, aircraft manuals and operating procedures.
• Safety‑sensitive positions require a commitment to being drug‑free, beginning during the pre‑employment process and continuing while attending the Academy and throughout employment (random and reasonable‑suspicion testing). Marijuana is illegal under federal law, even if legal under state law.

All employment with West Star Aviation is at will, including while attending West Star Aviation Academy. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or West Star Aviation, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time. Nothing in this job advertisement or any offer of employment or policy of West Star Aviation shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify the at‑will employment status of West Star Aviation employees.

West Star Aviation is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We extend employment to qualified applicants regardless of race,…