Airframe MRO and component support services company, Aviation Technical Services (ATS), was awarded “Company of the Year” honors during the 18th Annual AFA Aerospace Summit in Tacoma, Wash. on September 13. The AFA works to preserve and promote Washington State’s lead as the global center of aerospace manufacturing.
“It is with great pleasure ATS received recognition as Company of the Year at AFA’s recent summit,” stated Dave Keimig, ATS SVP of ops support, EH&S, quality, site services and operational excellence. “As an AFA serving board member, I know firsthand of its vision and what its leadership brings to our aerospace community.”
“AFA appreciates the partnership we have with ATS,” commented Emily Wittman, AFA president and CEO. “And it’s through industry partnership that we work to solve the regulatory, innovation, and workforce challenges facing our industry.”
ATS’s support of the aerospace technician career spans back to its inception as an aircraft component repair company in 1970. Over the years, it became apparent that a more proactive approach was needed which led to the January 2019 launch of its Apprenticeship Program at its hangar location in Everett, WA. Under the structure of the program, employees train on the job while getting paid and have the option to become a certificated mechanic upon completion. This 18-24 month program has expanded to ATS locations in Kansas City, MO, and Fort Worth, TX and has seen more than 160 apprentices graduate with approximately 50% becoming FAA certificated.