NDTMA and AATA Join Forces to Launch Nationwide Nondestructive Testing Apprenticeship Program
LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Nondestructive Testing Management Association (NDTMA), a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the nondestructive testing industry, and the American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA), have announced their partnership to establish a comprehensive apprenticeship program across the nation.
In 2016, AATA received approval from the U.S. Department of Labor to establish an NDT apprenticeship program and serve as an approved provider in California. Recently, AATA expanded its reach by becoming a program provider in Texas, with approvals pending in five other states. Teaming up with NDTMA, AATA aims to further expand the program's accessibility to both aspiring apprentices and employers nationwide.
Even prior to the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, the NDT industry faced a significant shortage of skilled technicians. With an aging workforce and a growing demand for certified inspectors, the industry is in dire need of a robust apprenticeship program.
"NDT is a rewarding career path that doesn't require a college degree and offers substantial earning potential. However, it does necessitate completion of a specialized curriculum and on-the-job experience for certification, ensuring competence in a job that prioritizes public safety," explained Marybeth Miceli, Executive Director of NDTMA. "AATA's apprenticeship program, established over the years, is designed to accomplish just that. We are thrilled to assist them in expanding the program to more companies and apprentices nationwide through our membership and marketing initiatives."
AATA's apprenticeship program currently adheres to the educational and on-the-job training guidelines set by NAS-410, primarily catering to the aviation and aerospace sectors, as well as SNT TC-1A, a widely recognized employer-based certification guideline in the NDT industry. The program's future plans include the integration of sector-specific training for the oil and gas industry, enabling technicians to obtain additional certifications within their chosen field.
"By examining NDTMA's mission and their remarkable work in recent years, we recognize their unwavering dedication to the industry's growth. The workforce challenges faced by NDT are the foremost concern, and we firmly believe that NDTMA will help us address these issues for the betterment of the entire industry while prioritizing the needs of apprentices and employers," stated John Stewart, Executive Director and Founder of AATA
Through AATA's existing NDT Apprenticeship program, federal and state grant funding supports free training for apprentices, alleviating the financial burden for participating companies.
