Patrick Deaville at Lake Charles, Louisiana’s KPLC reports SOWELA Technical Community College has now received approval for Louisiana’s first-ever Aviation Maintenance Apprenticeship Program. SOWELA’s paid Apprenticeship Program with Citadel Completions will allow students to get their foot in the door for Aviation Maintenance Technician positions. The two-year program gives students on-the-job training and the opportunity to secure a full-time position immediately following graduation. Job duties will mirror what students learn in class. And as they complete their SOWELA coursework in the morning, they can then put those skills to work at Citadel Completions in the afternoon. According to the Aviation Technician Education Council’s Pipeline Report, the current U.S. shortage of Aviation Maintenance Technicians is estimated at 9% and will reach nearly 20%, which is the equivalent of about 25,000 Certified Mechanics, by 2028. Apprentices at Citadel Completions start at $22 an hour, with raises as they earn additional certifications through SOWELA. After completing the program and if offered a full-time position, new grads may receive an increase in pay of $29 an hour or just over $60,000 a year.

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