NSCC AME Course

[cliffl7]

Just wondering if anyone has taken the AME "E" course at NSCC (or knows someone that trained there), just so I can see if its worth the $24k total tuition.

Thanks

[ourkid2000]

Anyone who pays 24k, out of their own pocket, to get a job that pays you about 16-17 bucks an hour to start with a maximum of about 35 bucks an hour (after about 10 years and several layoffs) needs to have their head examined.

If you're smart enough to get through the E program, you're probably a pretty bright individual whose talents will be totally wasted in this business. There are plenty of great programs at the NSCC that are far cheaper and provide a proper career path. If you're interesting in the E program, I'd recommend the Power Engineering program instead. It's no more difficult, it's shorter, and you'll make more money guaranteed.

When I got laid off from my E position, for the third time, I looked at the power eng program and it looked great. The opportunities are unreal.

[NeverBlue]

Anyone who pays 24k, out of their own pocket, to get a job that pays you about 16-17 bucks an hour to start with a maximum of about 35 bucks an hour (after about 10 years and several layoffs) needs to have their head examined.

Just to add to that,
I took an E course and I've never been laid off in 25 years and now make just under $50/hr plus bonuses.

If you like aviation you should do it...and forget about having your head examined...in 5 years you'll be making over $50K

I do think that $24K is a lot for a two year diploma though...I'm sure there are other courses that are about half of that.

There are an awful lot of University grads out there that have paid way more than $24K for a degree and after 4 - 5 years of school and can't find anything in their field that pays more than $18/hr...The banks and insurance companies are full of them...and restaurants.

There are a lot of other trades that pay more than aviation...choose wisely and try to decide if it's something you'll still want to be doing in 30 yrs.

Good luck!

[ourkid2000]

Neverblue, I would guess that you're situation is quite rare. I've worked at every major player here on the East coast and every single AME I've worked with has been laid off at least once. It's all been the typical stories that we're all pretty familiar with.....Eastern Provincial, Air Atlantic, Canjet 1, Canjet 2, Canjet3, Canadian Airlines, Jetsgo, Bombardier, Air Canada bankruptcy, etc. Even Jazz had some pretty good purges over the years, the last being late 2011.

I guess my point is that it's pretty damn hard to avoid the layoffs when you have no control over what your company does no matter how awesome you are at your job. If you're gonna pay 24k, you might want to consider the "odds" more than anything. Sure, I love aviation too but I would advise anyone who will listen to not blow 24k on it.

[NeverBlue]

Eastern Provincial, Air Atlantic, Canjet 1, Canjet 2, Canjet3, Canadian Airlines, Jetsgo, Bombardier, Air Canada bankruptcy, etc. Even Jazz had some pretty good purges over the years, the last being late 2011.

It's not that rare...it depends on what type of avionics you want to do...most of my friends that I have been working with in avionics my entire career have never been laid off...some have but most have not.

You've listed only airlines and one manufacturer...and the trend of layoffs at those companies has never changed in my entire career in aviation...I knew this going in.

The trend of layoffs is common to most trades...especially seasonal ones

So tell us ourkid2000...why did you get into Avionics?

[conehead]

Cuz he was tired of being a "bagsmasher"!

[rubberboot]

There are a lot of other trades that pay more than aviation...choose wisely and try to decide if it's something you'll still want to be doing in 30 yrs.

Damn.... that to me is the most solid piece of advice i have seen on here in a long time. usually i just see the impending argument forming...

that $24K, is that foriegn student tuition, or have you factored in your living expenses as well? Centennial college's program is about $7600 total for the 2 years. $24000 seems high for domestic student (unless housing, transprotation, etc are included).

[NeverBlue]

No...that is what they list on their website for domestic. $12K + a year. For both M and E including fees...but the tuition is exactly $6000 per term.
I guess Nova Scotia has a different government funding model.
Maybe they have really nice stuff

[cliffl7]

Thanks for all your insight. Most of the other trades courses at the NSCC the tuition is about $2600 a year. It's messed up because all those courses have a waitlist because of the Navy ship building contract they just got here.

[seamus]

.... usually i just see the impending argument forming...

As for the original subject matter, 24k for an AME program tuition does seem a bit high but then perhaps there are other aspects that make it worth it in the end.

Lastly, for all those 'haters' out there that continue to blame aviation for all that has gone wrong in their lives...grow up people !!! This profession is no different than any other one out there - it's all about the choices you make in life. Nobody in their right mind would expect to make a 6 figure salary while working at MacDonalds; why then is it such a big shock that you make a shit wage and get next to no time off after accepting a job in some crummy, two-bit airline. But then again if your goal in life is to get rich - aviation is definitely not the right avenue...

[seamus]

BTW - check out these guys:

http://www.confederationcollege.com/air ... nance/fees

Lots of well-trained and competent people came out of that school and are still loving their job all those years later.

cheers

[NeverBlue]

For about 10K a year you could go to North Bay or London and take avionics...and that includes living expenses.

Canadore has a very well established course and Fanshawe has spent a lot of money on their program and from what I hear, still spending on the latest test equipment and avionics.
I have also heard rumors they have been looking at a new hanger at London International. But that's just a rumor.

They are both pretty cheap places to learn compared to Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.

Ourkid...execaire is looking for an avionics tech...aren't they owned by the same company as Canjet? Wouldn't you like to work in the Canarys? ..unless you've burned that bridge

[ourkid2000]

Don't believe in burning bridges......and yep, was tired of being a bagsmasher. My co-worker at that company was the resident AME and he turned me on to the business. Of course, this was before Sept 11th. Anyways, every company I've ever lost my job with was either due to a shutdown, bankruptcy, or mass layoffs.

I've moved away from hands-on maintenance of aircraft yet still work in the airline business and have never been happier. I'm still licensed and all that, however. I have to say though that the whole thing has been a pretty good eye opener and I've never looked back. If I never HAVE to go back to repairing aircraft, I never will. Like I said though, if I need a job I wouldn't hesitate. A man's gotta eat!

This whole thread is about bang for your buck and we need to remember that. The NSCC program is completely out of whack with the realities of the industry.

[crazy_aviator]

I recall my centennial college AMT tuition being something like 350.00 per semester times 3 for 12 months education,,,,,, that was pretty reasonable back then !!

[NeverBlue]

It's actually quite incredible how much tuition fees across the country have increased in the last 2 decades.

My local paper a a story on it not long ago and over 100% increase in all areas in a decade.

Boy...where the hell are our tax dollars going now anyways...not healthcare...not hwys and roads (proposed toll roads in Ontario)...not education...not government services (user fees increasing all the time)

But I digress,

I paid $1200 for my diploma about 25 yrs ago...now the same diploma at the same institution costs $9000 including fees.

But...there is not much we can do about it...and now we are comparable to the USA for post secondary and undergraduate education costs.

Better start RESP's for the kids...

[InclinePlane]

I recall my centennial college AMT tuition being something like 350.00 per semester times 3 for 12 months education,,,,,, that was pretty reasonable back then !!

Sound like the same price I paid for my tuition, for my 12 months course. My first job paid only $560 a month. That was a good pay for a new apprentice. Today, I make a more than twice that amount in a week and I am only scheduled to work ten hours a week.

As for some of the negative comments about the industry, yes most will experience unemployment, downsizing, rightsizing, restructuring out of a job, and deplorable bosses and companies. No matter what industry you get into, these will always exist.

As for making more money drilling for oil, climbing towers, fixing cars, fixing large equipment, and shingling roofs,– yep, a good chance there.

Now when you have twenty years in a job, and you look at the task card and all you can think of is “been there and done that – it's time for a change”, or you are tired of chasing airplanes and the concrete floors and/or cold weather wearing your joints. There are many options for skilled AMEs (or military) in aviation that requires their specialized knowledge. These include management, quality control, company representatives, manufacturing and overhaul specialist, regulations, maintenance steering groups, training, specialized maintenance, consulting, exporting/importing, … (I will let others continue the list).

I have been there, done it, bought many of the T-shirts, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Every time I left (or was asked to leave) a job, I always ended up with a better one, and learned new skills. I enjoyed (and still enjoy) my experiences, travels, and life, even though I am not wealthy.

In the Maritimes, there is less government support for colleges, so $24K is a good price – especially if it is what you want.

Welcome to the WWW (wacky world of wings)

[NeverBlue]

Great post incline.

[all_ramped_up]

Just wondering if anyone has taken the AME "E" course at NSCC (or knows someone that trained there), just so I can see if its worth the $24k total tuition.

Thanks

I can't comment on if it's "worth it" but if you end up going, you'll see me there this September for my "M" course.

[ourkid2000]

Just wondering if anyone has taken the AME "E" course at NSCC (or knows someone that trained there), just so I can see if its worth the $24k total tuition.

Thanks

I can't comment on if it's "worth it" but if you end up going, you'll see me there this September for my "M" course.

Well, all I can say is good luck! 24k for this lot makes me numb even thinking about it. You've all been properly warned! If I'm not mistaken, Jazz hired about 15-20 people from the NSCC M course a couple years ago, starting them off at around 15 bucks an hour, and laid them ALL off 5 months later. Just a little taste of the realities.

If I have one tip for anyone intent on getting into the business is to focus on getting your license and then get as much experience as possible and get good at what you do......then move on into management. Make getting off the hangar floor your top priority. Get into QA, Continuous Improvement, Airworthiness, Maintenance Control, etc.

By the way, I graduated from CONA in Newfoundland. It's a good quality program and their tuition is still less than 1k per semester (two yr program).
http://www.cna.nl.ca/registration/fees-charges.asp

[ben_davis]

Hey, I graduated from the "E" course in 2012, I loved the program, great instructors. I was able to get a job in the field upon graduation, but it required moving to a new province. I'm love what i'm doing, for a single guy the money isn't to to bad. But again, you have to ask yourself, why are you taking the program, and 20 years down the road do you still yourself being interested in it. Aviation isn't so much a job as it a lifestyle, and knowing that makes the difference.

[tachgen]

funny thing, i have found that some students who came out of that course don't even know how to lockwire!!!!!!

[ourkid2000]

There's always going to be good and bad students from these programs......I've worked with some from the NSCC who were really great. That's not the issue.

The issue is cost vs. payoff.

You can make the same money as an AME taking a one year 2000k course at the NSCC. Are you that hard up to work on aircraft that you'd blow an additional 24k to do it? I love airplanes too but at some point you have to be realistic.

Run that little scenario by Kevin O'Leary and see what he says. LOL, just kidding.

[all_ramped_up]

Just wondering if anyone has taken the AME "E" course at NSCC (or knows someone that trained there), just so I can see if its worth the $24k total tuition.

Thanks

I can't comment on if it's "worth it" but if you end up going, you'll see me there this September for my "M" course.

Well, all I can say is good luck! 24k for this lot makes me numb even thinking about it. You've all been properly warned! If I'm not mistaken, Jazz hired about 15-20 people from the NSCC M course a couple years ago, starting them off at around 15 bucks an hour, and laid them ALL off 5 months later. Just a little taste of the realities.

If I have one tip for anyone intent on getting into the business is to focus on getting your license and then get as much experience as possible and get good at what you do......then move on into management. Make getting off the hangar floor your top priority. Get into QA, Continuous Improvement, Airworthiness, Maintenance Control, etc.

Thankfully (or maybe not so thankfully) I've been in the biz since 2002 so there's no surprises to me here.

If things work out nicely I'll hopefully be returning to my former company's YHZ base after I'm done the course.

[ourkid2000]

If it's Jazz you speak of, well......I wouldn't count on your plans working out. Make sure you have a backup plan.

They have a tendency to hire in droves and lay off in droves. The drama never ends there. If you would like to find out for yourself, have a few drinks some night with the ex-Jazz NSCC instructors and when they let their guard down, ask em about the place. Make sure they've had a few first though!

Don't ever say you weren't warned! 24k....jesus, I still can't believe it.

[dashx]

ttp://www.nscc.ca/learning_programs/programs/ ... AIRMAINAVS

I am going to assume that you audited the program itself. Spoken with school representatives and had tour of the school. And you never mentioned if you are close to the school (and will be commuting or renting a room/residence). An investment in anything is risky (I know I know but I had to say it). At least you can get (most) of your money back if you choose to drop out early on (and if you are young it probably won't affect your future).

What do they say? You get what you pay for????????



If this is a career you see for yourself (and have thought about it - long and hard) then I say go for it. The course not the cup...........

And as my father is fond of saying people change their careers 3 times during their lifetime (and this from a guy who never changed his once he graduated....)