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When it comes to finding a fulfilling career, sometimes the path reveals itself in unexpected ways. For Abigail Holloway, the journey began through a family friend who introduced them to an aviation maintenance apprenticeship program at Summit Aviation that happened to be just what she was looking for. Having originally planned to work on helicopters in the military, Abby was drawn to the hands-on learning experience the program promised.
Director of Human Resources Lynn Trent explains how the program works: “The apprenticeship program consists of the state paying 90% of the apprentice’s salary for 90 days. The apprentice is in the program and goes to school for two weeks in the fall and two weeks in the summer. They receive schooling combined with hands-on learning at school and at work as they continue to pursue their A&P certification.”
The apprenticeship, which lasted about a year, provided invaluable training. Although official funding eventually ran out, Abby continued working under the guidance of a dedicated mentor. “I’m still technically an apprentice,” she explained, noting that there’s a way to go before she can become fully licensed.
Reflecting on the experience, Abby shared that each mentor offered unique guidance. The first mentor was friendly and approachable. After a brief stint with a second mentor, she eventually settled under the guidance of her current mentor, with whom she has a friendly, almost sibling-like dynamic. This relationship has been key to learning and growth, and Abby appreciated the program's flexibility in continuing to work to find the right mentor/mentee fit.
“Abby, as an intern, rotated through our Fixed Wing maintenance, Quality Control and is now in our Helicopter Maintenance department. Abby has been promoted to aircraft mechanics helper and is now performing supervised aircraft inspections that follow our internal work instructions tied to the aircraft maintenance manual. She will soon be performing component evaluations and measurements. We are very excited to have such a dynamic team where Abby will continue to thrive and grow within our organization,” said Director of Operations Robert Flansburg.
The pace of the apprenticeship was initially fast, with new tasks every day. Now, while the learning continues, Abby feels confident taking on familiar tasks independently. “It’s very hands-on. The only way to learn is by doing it,” she noted, emphasizing the program’s practical approach.
Reflecting on the journey, she credits the apprenticeship with giving her “a foot in the door” to a career she’s passionate about and looks forward to advancing in. This experience highlights the value of mentorship and hands-on learning in preparing individuals for rewarding roles in their chosen field, which is exactly what Summit Aviation hopes for the Apprenticeship Program!
