Appreniceship/training

[nott00shabby]

Hello, does anyone know any companies that are willing to take on an apprentice, preferably in the Kitchener/Waterloo area (im in Guelph) or is there any other way of becoming a AME?

Thanks.

[flyinggreasemonkey]

First off, go to school.
Canadore(my choice), BCIT, NAIT\SAIT to name a few. Don't waste your time with a cereal box certificate like ICS or any other non-accredited course.

Good training is the first and most important step to making yourself a quality and martketable AME.

[iflyforpie]

I second that. The only guys I know who have had success with the ICS program were ones that already worked for the company as labourers and most made piss poor mechanics. I'm a SAIT grad myself and it was a pretty good course (well, ten years ago it was). Also heard good things about Stevenson in Manitoba and Northern Lights here in BC for AME training.

But yeah, make sure you go for a real course. It will make you far more flexible for getting a job, and getting a different job if you have to change (this is aviation after all).

Best of luck!

[qa guy]

I certainly agree!

[Bell]

With no experience, a school is the way to go but I've known more than a few who have gone through ICS while working for a company and they all did fine. School doesn't mean you'll be a decent mechanic. I've worked with school grads that have been clueless like the two from Sait. One asked me why we use nitrogen in tires, the other didn't know what a drip tray was.
I was surprised since Sait usually turns out excellent quality. Just my two cents.

[Mitchel]

Hey nottooshabby, I'm also from the Kitchener/Waterloo area. I'm currently a 2nd year student at Confederation College. I'd say that your best way to go would be to attend a Transport Canada Certified program. Knowing a couple of friends that attend the Stephenson program I think its another good way to go as well. Less time in the class environment and more time out in the work force gaining hands on experience. For me its a toss up. Both have their pros and cons

[still_bluenoser]

Go to an acredited course. I graduated from a non acredited course because it was only 10 months. Regret it. Longer apprenticeship, less people will hire you upon graduation.
Left there and went to a real course at SAIT. Did their E course.

There are not many worthwhile shortcuts in life.

[GoWrench]

There are a few factors to consider when your looking at career training.
Obligations- kids, mortgage, etc


ICS is not for everyone. But if you have all of the obligations mentioned above, or/are changing careers, or are supplimenting an existing trade, its not a bad way to go.
Yes the appreticeship is longer, but thats not a bad thing. 4 years on the floor is far more educational than 2 and a little after a "real training course", provided you have well rounded guys around you to teach you good habits and help you/allow you to chase and figure snags.

The most dangerous apprentii are the ones that are just about to have license because they think they know everything.
When its time to put pen to paper/ troubleshoot some really wicked snags and tech support is scratching their heads and says we will call you back, then you really see who the good technicians are regardless of their training.

So does the best way exist, I would dare say it all depends on the individual and how their thought process works.
You can't teach common sense, you can only provide the information to make good choices.

Good luck with your decision. Cheers Nick.

[iflyforpie]

I agree. I've seen the best and the worst with ICS. The first guy I worked with was an ICS apprentice and he is one of the best mechs I've seen. Another guy on the same crew was also ICS. He was a forever apprentice who wound up quitting the field. It's all in your attitude.