Aviation maintenance technology students at Sowela Technical Community College will soon have the opportunity to participate in Louisiana’s first aviation maintenance apprenticeship.

Citadel Completions has been certified to be an AMT Apprenticeship Program Sponsor through the Louisiana Workforce Commission -Apprenticeship Division. The aircraft maintenance company has curated an apprenticeship program that will operate in conjunction with Sowela’s AMT curriculum.

Accepted students will attend class in the morning. That evening, they will apply the skills they learned during the day at Citadel. The internship allows students to solidify their education with tactile learning, all while progressing down the pathway to FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification, building relationships with potential employers and earning a livable wage.

Christian Ogden, employee development specialist, Citadel, said in a statement that aviation apprenticeship programs develop skilled industry professionals by combining field experience with structured education.

“Apprentices gain critical technical expertise while actively contributing to real-world aviation operations. This immersive approach not only builds confidence and competence but also sets the foundation for a successful, long-term career in aviation.”

Sowela Aviation Instructor David Linscomb told the American Press the goal of the internship is to provide students with a comprehensive education while opening career pathways to get AMT students into the workforce shortly after graduation.

Aviation Maintenance Student Bryce Chapman, who is also the Aviation Club President, applied to the apprenticeship program.

He originally wanted to be a pilot, inspired by his time in the United States Army Special Forces, but a friend of his who is a helicopter pilot for Bristow Group, LLC, suggested aircraft maintenance since Chapman used to do work on automobiles. While enrolling in Sowela’s AMT program was a “leap of faith” for him, it was a valuable decision.

“There’s just so much that goes into it, it’s fascinating to learn,” he explained. “It’s a puzzle piece, and I love a good puzzle.”

As a husband and father with financial responsibilities, the apprenticeship will allow him to bring in income while furthering his career. And as a hands-on learner, curriculum-aligned work tasks will allow further develop his skills.

“I’ll actually get to see it in practice that evening. … When we have to take all of our final testing, it’s going to be a lot easier if I basically know exactly what I’m doing before I even look at pen and paper.

“They’re not just hearing about it, they’re actually doing it,” Linscomb echoed.

The program is 24 months and can be extended case by case. Students will work a minimum of 30 hours a week during the academic year and up to 40 hours during school breaks. FAA A&P certification can be completed in three months after the program is completed and students earn pay increases as they progress through the internship and complete certifications, Citadel said in a release.

A symbiotic relationship between Sowela and Citadel shares a mission to bolster workforce development.

“We can build a pipeline for them, and it also gets our guts out there in the market,” Linscomb said.

The idea of the internship originated during a quarterly advisory board meeting where Chapman and others told aviation maintenance companies directly that they wanted a local internship program. He said Citadel developed a plan in less than a month.

The program will also help keep AMT jobs in the region, he noted.

The annual average salary for AMTs is approximately $70,000. The national job demand for AMTs is high, with 55,000 aviation maintenance professionals slated to retire over the next decade.

Sowela plans to partner with more aviation companies in the future to create more internship opportunities for students, he said.