Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Apprenticeship – American Aerospace Technical Academy
American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA)
Free Tuition for Qualifying Students | Veterans, Women, and Everyone Else is Encouraged to Apply!
Ready to Begin your Career in Aerospace Inspection and Non-Destructive Testing? Fill Out the form below to get started.
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Begin your future in aerospace and advanced manufacturing through Foothill College’s registered apprenticeship in partnership with the American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA). This unique program, one of the only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeships in the U.S.—combines full-time classroom training with direct industry placement to prepare you for roles inspecting and certifying critical structures without destroying them.
Foothill College is partnering with AATA to train returning veterans, women, and residents from disadvantaged communities in the high-demand field of Non Destructive Testing (NDT). AATA's apprenticeship program is the only nationally recognized NDT apprenticeship program in the United States.
Nondestructive Testing (NDT) is the process of inspecting, testing, or evaluating materials, components or assemblies for discontinuities, or differences in characteristics without destroying the serviceability of the part or system. In other words, when the inspection or test is completed the part can still be used.
Today, modern nondestructive tests are used in manufacturing, fabrication and in-service inspections to ensure product integrity and reliability, to control manufacturing processes, lower production costs and to maintain a uniform quality level. During construction, NDT is used to ensure the quality of materials and joining processes during the fabrication and erection phases, and in-service NDT inspections are used to ensure that the products in use continue to have the integrity necessary to ensure their usefulness and the safety of the public.
Why Choose This NDT Apprenticeship?
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Additional Information, Example Module, and FAQs
Here’s a sample 10-week format (built to scale over the full 4-year apprenticeship):
- Week 1: Magnetic Particle Levels I & II (40 hrs)
- Week 2: Penetrant Testing Levels I & II (40 hrs)
- Week 3: Ultrasonic Testing Level I (40 hrs)
- Week 4: Ultrasonic Testing Level II (40 hrs)
- Week 5: UT Phased Array Level I (40 hrs)
- Week 6: UT Phased Array Lab (40 hrs)
- Week 7: Radiation Safety (40 hrs)
- Week 8: Radiographic Testing Level I (40 hrs)
- Week 9: Radiographic Testing Level II (40 hrs)
- Week 10: Computed Radiography (40 hrs)
- Applicants must meet the standard apprenticeship eligibility: age 18+, high school/GED, ability to read/write English, physical/motor skills.
- Step 1: Review program info on AATA’s website.
- Step 2: Contact John Stewart, Founder of AATA by emailing him at stewartaata@gmail.com or visit aatatraining.org for application details.
- Step 3: Register with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards via Foothill’s related instruction program.
Q: How long is the apprenticeship?
A: Typically 4 years with modular coursework and on-the-job training.
Q: Do I need previous NDT experience? No — the full training sequence is provided.
A: What kinds of jobs will I qualify for? NDT inspector, aerospace QA technician,
fabrication inspector, structural inspection specialist.
Q: Is pay involved?
A: Yes. Apprentices earn while they train on job sites, with wage progression over
the course of the apprenticeship.
