Measuring The Improvement of Maintenance Skills Among Aircraft Maintenance Technician Students After On-The-Job Training Program

The aviation industry requires highly skilled maintenance technicians to ensure aircraft safety and reliability. This study assessed the improvement of maintenance skills among Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) students of Indiana Aerospace University after their On-the-Job Training (OJT). Guided by Human Capital Theory, Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, and Organizational Theory, it evaluated the extent of skill enhancement and the challenges students faced. Using a mixed-methods design, the study gathered data from 90 randomly selected AMT students through a self-made Likert-scale survey and semi-structured interviews. Results showed that students “Agreed” their skills—such as troubleshooting, tool handling, and safety compliance—improved significantly after OJT (overall mean = 3.94). They also rated the OJT program and training organization positively for providing relevant supervision and training. However, issues like limited hands-on exposure, ineffective teaching strategies, and theory-focused assessments were noted. The study concludes that OJT is essential in developing students’ technical competence and industry readiness, but instructional methods and assessment approaches must be improved. Recommendations include enhancing practical training, upgrading teaching methodologies, and applying performance-based evaluations for well-rounded skill development.