West Star Aviation is celebrating the graduation of its inaugural class of its academy established in January as the MRO looks to build the pipeline of its next generation of workers. Formed in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), West Star Aviation Academy (WSSA) graduated an initial class of 23 and has welcomed the next 25 students who will complete their coursework and hands-on training in second-quarter 2025.
The graduating class marks a key milestone in West Star’s innovative approach to developing its workforce, the company said. Under the program, prospective apprentices are screened, interviewed, and hired into a full-time paid position. The participants must complete a customized Part 147 airframe maintenance curriculum in a dedicated West Star classroom and hangar over 7.5 months. Under this approach, West Star said apprentices can fully focus on developing the necessary skills rather than having to balance work and training.
By undergoing a tailored curriculum, graduates are prepared to join the MRO with hands-on experience with West Star’s aircraft, systems, manuals, and procedures. “We’ve learned a massive amount about how aircraft work, how to repair them, and how to perform maintenance. The knowledge we’re gaining is very applicable to our work,” said David Magg, the first student to test and pass his mechanic certificate and airframe rating through WSAA.
WSAA credited its strong partnerships with SWIC and community organizations for the program. “WSAA has set a new standard for aviation education, combining academic excellence with practical, hands-on experience,” said Brad Sparks, dean of the aviation program at SWIC.
As WSAA kicks off training for its second group of apprentices, the company is eyeing future expansions of the program as it continues to grow rapidly. West Star said such announcements will be forthcoming over time.
“We’re proud to offer unique opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and launch successful careers in aviation,” said Katie Johnson, chief people officer at West Star Aviation. “WSAA is a testament to our commitment to investing in our people and ensuring the continued excellence of our workforce.”
West Star Aviation has taken a novel approach to building its next-generation workforce, establishing an academy in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) to train individuals to receive their airframe licenses and bring them on board as apprentices.
Under the 7.5-month program, students complete a customized Part 147 airframe maintenance curriculum in a dedicated West Star classroom through SWIC and also receive hands-on training in one of the MRO’s hangars at its East Alton, Illinois facility, working with standard tools and other components including a Falcon aircraft. To further bridge the gap between classroom and real-world experiences, apprentices receive mentoring and shadowing opportunities.
Prospective apprentices are screened, interviewed, and hired into a full-time paid position through the program. As they graduate from West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA), they are ready to test for their airframe license.
In fact, the first class of 23 that graduated last month already have ordered their tool kits to embark on their new careers with West Star. West Star kicked off the program earlier this year and has welcomed the next 25 students who will complete their coursework and hands-on training in the second quarter of 2025.
By providing a paid position as they are training, West Star said, the apprentices can fully focus on developing the necessary skills rather than having to balance work and training. With a tailored curriculum, graduates are prepared to join the MRO with hands-on experience with West Star’s aircraft, systems, manuals, and procedures.
“We’ve learned a massive amount about how aircraft work, how to repair them, and how to perform maintenance. The knowledge we’re gaining is very applicable to our work,” said David Magg, the first student to test and pass his airframe license through WSAA.
“The academy has been great, from the learning aspect to working in the hangar and the camaraderie of the classroom. All in all, the whole experience has been pretty amazing,” added WSAA graduate Kyle Kovorick.
WSAA credited its strong partnerships with SWIC and community organizations for the program. “WSAA has set a new standard for aviation education, combining academic excellence with practical, hands-on experience,” said Brad Sparks, dean of the aviation program at SWIC.
Along with West Star’s support, the program has received assistance through the Madison County Workforce Innovation Board. “By securing support through grants, recruiting efforts, and advertising, we were able to provide West Star with some of the resources they needed to ensure WSAA was a success,” said Tony Fuhrmann, director of the board.
As WSAA kicks off training for its second group of apprentices, the company is eyeing future expansions of the program as it continues to grow rapidly. West Star said such announcements will be forthcoming.
“We’re proud to offer unique opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and launch successful careers in aviation,” said Katie Johnson, chief people officer at West Star Aviation. “WSAA is a testament to our commitment to investing in our people and ensuring the continued excellence of our workforce.”
The program becomes particularly important for West Star as it continues to grow. In August, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on a new $20 million, 75,700-sq-ft hangar that increases its capacity for interior, avionics, and sheet metal services and facilitates implementation of new edge production technologies, including a new state-of-the-art design center. The hangar is expected to result in the addition of 60 to 80 new jobs.
Throughout its facilities, West Star employs more than 3,000.