West Star Aviation has graduated its second cohort of aviation maintenance students from its West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA).
Launched in collaboration with Southwestern Illinois College in 2023, the program provides apprentice aviation technicians with seven and a half months of classroom instruction and hands-on training, which will allow them to transition faster into qualified roles without the costs typically associated with traditional industry education models.
The 22 aspiring aircraft maintenance technicians in this latest group included three who completed not only all of their written exams but also their oral and practical testing, thus earning their FAA licenses ahead of their graduation. “This accomplishment speaks volumes about their dedication, discipline, and drive,” said Brian Bauwens, the v-p and general manager of West Star’s East Alton, Illinois facility. “They’ve set a new benchmark for future classes to follow.”
After completing four weeks of specific job training, the graduates will begin working at West Star on various aircraft programs.
“When we recognized the workforce shortage in aviation, we knew we needed a plan to tackle it,” said Bauwens, adding that the apprentices emerge from the program energized, enthusiastic, and fully prepared to contribute. “Initiatives like WSAA allow us to do more than just fill technician vacancies; we’re nurturing talent that will drive the industry forward.”