Bombardier has teamed up with WSU Tech to increase the pipeline of A&P technicians as the aircraft manufacturer continues to expand its in-house support network. Through the partnership, WSU Tech and Bombardier will offer a two-year apprenticeship program, the first for A&Ps to be state-registered in Kansas.
Students will receive in-class education at WSU Tech and hands-on training at Bombardier’s Wichita site. Students will learn both from WSU instructors and aviation maintenance leaders but also gain knowledge on support of Bombardier business jets. Once they have completed the program and obtained the A&P certification, the apprentices will transition into full-time technicians at Bombardier.
“We are pleased to deepen our roots in Wichita and the U.S. through the launch of this foundational program in collaboration with WSU Tech, a leader in aviation mechanic training in Wichita,” said Paul Sislian, executive v-p of aftermarket services and strategy at Bombardier. “The start of this apprenticeship program highlights Bombardier Group’s ongoing commitment to not only expanding its footprint in Wichita but to training, hiring, and retaining qualified professionals, which will further increase our ability to provide exceptional customer service to our clients.”
The program comes as Bombardier has added nearly one million square feet to its service center capacity globally in recent years and has been working to staff those centers.