Workforce Improvement Act (WIA) paying for A&P??

SpiraMirabilis

SpiraMirabilis

Possible Subversive
We've all heard about how you can get some good government 737 type rating (or most of one) through the WIA if you get furloughed... but I don't want or need a 7 type. What I'd really like is to get my A&P...

Now, I have seen a number of jobs (pilot jobs!) where the requirement is the pilot must be an A&P... you're out in a timbucktoo for months at a time and it would be cost prohibitive to bring the airplane back every month or two for inspections, small maintenance, etc.

Am I reaching a bit much here? :p The thing is, I could go to one of those A&P schools and probably finish before I'm recalled (14-15months, get some personal leave to finish maybe) but as I understand it they're actually expensive... and I'm poor.
 
I am not sure about getting money for it, but GTCC in North Carolina has a good A&P program. The in state rate is pretty affordable.
 
I got my A&P at Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL. $6,000 total. Takes two years. Only catch is you have to establish residency in or near Rockford 30 days before classes start.

I originally started at Spartan School of Aeronautics and ran out of money before I got very far. I can say the stuff we did at Rock valley was the same and just as good, only difference is it was 2 years instead of 18 months.
 
I think theres a community college in my town that has a course but for Airframe only :( After finding out how much one of those dedicated A&P's schools cost I'm like eff no. Can almost get all your pilot certificates for that much.
 
Private schools are definitely not the way to go unless your rich and have money to burn. When I worked for American Eagle and Horizon as a mechanic I knew several guys that came through programs like Spartan and Colorado Aero Tech(or whatever they call themselves now) who got the same education as me and paid over 30k for a job that your lucky to make over 40k/yr in your lifetime. To me it is just not worth it.

Find a community college and get it done that way, or find a shop that will let you work the 3+ years it takes to get the experience and knowledge to pass the A+P orals/practicals.
 
Has anyone successfully gotten funding from WIA for anything? What is the process because I called my local offices and they said the county basically has no money for WIA. I guess it helps to be in a state that isn't going bankrupt.
 
For WIA funding, the first thing you need to do is talk to your local unemployment office in your state of residence! If or how much you will get depends on state, sometimes even on county. Most unemployment offices have some sort of WIA orientation where they will cover eligibility requirements, etc. Some of my fellow furloughed co-workers where able to get funding, some of them didn't.

My state is very limited on funds, I was told most people in my state get between ($500-$2,500 max). I've heard people from Michigan getting as much as $6k, but some guys in Florida got laughed at didn't get anything. Again, it depends on your state.

There is A LOT of paperwork you have to fill out, but in the end it is worth it if you get free money from the government. I was able to get 2k out of them, and I am currently using that money to obtain my ATP. I could have gotten my A&P or my something else if I wanted to, so yes, it is possible to get your A&P through WIA funding, but check with your local unemployment office.

Good Luck!
 
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