American Airlines and Tarrant County College have created a partnership for aspiring aviation maintenance technicians to launch careers working for the Fort Worth-based airline.
During a June 29 news conference in Fort Worth, a memorandum of understanding was announced, allowing top candidates from Tarrant County College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program to have priority access to interviews, mentorship and engagement opportunities with American’s maintenance professionals and exposure to the airline’s maintenance facilities, according to a news release.
What they’re saying
“Our students are preparing for careers in one of the nation’s most critical industries,” said Zarina Blankenbaker, Tarrant County College’s Northwest Campus president for the Fort Worth location. “This partnership provides direct access to professional expectations and meaningful career opportunities with a world-renowned aviation leader.”
Zooming in
Aviation maintenance technicians normally study for 18 to 24 months at a Federal Aviation Administration-certified technician school, such as the one TCC has, and must pass exams to earn an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate before starting to work on maintaining aircraft, according to a news release.
American Airlines has more than 1,400 aviation maintenance technicians at its hub at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, helping maintain a fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft. Overall, American Airlines has more than 7,000 employees at DFW Airport and more than 37,000 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The details
Jess Barrier, American’s managing director of maintenance operations control and training, said at the news conference that there is a growing need for highly-skilled maintenance professionals.
“This partnership with Tarrant County College reflects our commitment to developing the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians,” Barrier said. “We are creating a critical pathway for students to build the experience and connections they need to pursue rewarding and high-paying careers while strengthening the industry. American has proudly served Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 50 years. Our team of locally based AMTs is committed to passing on their knowledge and experience to the future of aviation maintenance.”
