WSU Tech will offer scholarships for aviation sheet metal and process (paint) mechanics that include paid tuition and fees and a guaranteed job interview with Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation, the vocational-technical college of Wichita State University announced yesterday. The scholarships will be made available through the Metallica Scholars program, which awarded the school $25,000 to provide the limited, first-come, first-served scholarships.

Students receiving the scholarships can start as early as October and complete their studies in eight weeks. The Metallica Scholars program is an initiative of the rock band’s All Within My Hands Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges to promote skilled trades. This is the third time WSU Tech has been selected to provide the scholarships.

“We are extremely thankful to be a Metallica Scholars school again this year,” said WSU Tech president Sheree Utash. “Over the last few years, we have seen numerous lives transformed by the educational opportunities, financial assistance, and career guidance this initiative has provided to them. We are excited to expand this program and further our relationships with Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation to provide a clear career pathway during these exceptionally uncertain times.”